The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

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

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

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing completely," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was underway.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.