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

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

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

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

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

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - 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, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point Healy was underway.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

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

"To chase 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

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

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

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