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

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

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

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.