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

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.

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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

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

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing completely," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.

During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left the prior 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 guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.