Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as The Aussies Beat India

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has won it all.

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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you simply focus on the contest."

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

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was removed Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."

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

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.

Mary Payne MD
Mary Payne MD

A passionate gamer and esports journalist with over a decade of experience covering major tournaments and industry trends.