Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

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

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain 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 complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

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

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce 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 Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the contest."

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

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was out her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

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