The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there 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 scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

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

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

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

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was dismissed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she later admitted those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.