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It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

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

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the chance.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia 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 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

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

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

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

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

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

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

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was out Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

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