Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.

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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star 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 spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was removed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

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