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

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

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."

That comment will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.