Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a squad 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 complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

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

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Then best known 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 held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win came three months after her debut and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped 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 made 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was considerably tougher to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from there the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

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

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

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

That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.