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

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

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

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

The secondary achievements, targeted by the record chasers, are the only things left for a side that has won it all.

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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex 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 experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

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

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. 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 hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point Healy was underway.

"A chance to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was removed her side needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

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

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

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

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.