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

It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

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

The alternative records, targeted by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It's difficult for their batters to maintain a record if never given the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to create her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock 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 has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

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

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the last competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.