Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has won it all.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

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

If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

These statements will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against 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 left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.