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

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

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

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

However although she later admitted those physical issues have postponed plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.