Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.

"A chance to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

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

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.