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

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

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

In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country 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 arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.

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

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing at all," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the last rival teams at this tournament should hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.