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

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

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

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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

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

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts activate and you just lock into the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was out her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."

These statements will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they exited 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 led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

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