Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side 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 exceeding 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

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 made sure her country would not fail again.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase

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

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that Healy was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we know we can do it."

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

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they left the previous 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 led her country for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as captain.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.

Caroline Warner
Caroline Warner

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