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

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

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

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup 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 fail again.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was on her way.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

Once she was removed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the last competing nations at this championship want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

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

But while she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.