The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.

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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.

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

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

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

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was removed the team needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.