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

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went nearly four years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

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

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

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

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.

Certain people claim the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it appeared I lacked timing at all," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you just lock into the match."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was on her way.

"A chance to play and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was out the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

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