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

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.

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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match 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 case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

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

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have postponed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as skipper.

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