The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

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

The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.

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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 over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece 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 experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted 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 final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was on her way.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as leader.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.