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

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

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

Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as 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 failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.

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

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have postponed 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 leader.

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