Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

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The fact it required as late as 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 women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

Ultimately, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.

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

That loss "drove 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 title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

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

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the last rival teams at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.