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

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to 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 in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."

These statements will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.