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

It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

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

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

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

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

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

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