The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.

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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," commented Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.