The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.

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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

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

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was removed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," stated Healy further.

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

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

In recent days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

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