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

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

• Healy's Hundred Assists Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Leading Bowlers

It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

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

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a platform to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

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

If this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the match."

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was on her way.

"A chance to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.

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

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

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