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

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the opportunity.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was underway.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the last competing nations at this championship need to hear.

In recent days a sense they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss 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 a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

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