Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

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

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

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

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was dismissed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.