The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

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

"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

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

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

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