Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her debut and seven international trophies 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 momentarily interrupted the run of success.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

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 loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit take over and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

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

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

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

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

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