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

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her newest gem.

Then best known as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

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

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

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

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

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

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

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

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.