Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts 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 said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not come up short.

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

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

What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.

"An opportunity to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

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

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

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.