The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India

It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.

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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

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

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

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 final and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

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

When she was out her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

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

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

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

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

Scott Romero
Scott Romero

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