Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the competition."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can achieve it."

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

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

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