The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

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

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 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 berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

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

James Hernandez
James Hernandez

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