Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock was preceded by six games 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's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.