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

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over 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 debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

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

When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship should hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

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