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

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as The Aussies Defeat India

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fail again.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the competition."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was out Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

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

That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as leader.

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

Sandra Walton
Sandra Walton

Award-winning journalist with over 15 years of experience covering international affairs and technology innovation.