Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's tough for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.

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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the chance.

In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

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

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not come up short.

Whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

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

"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

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

These statements will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

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