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

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 attempts across formats.

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

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

If this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was far harder to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was out the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to do that now," continued Healy.

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

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 success following victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

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

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

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