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

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Overcome India

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a team 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 achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment 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 not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in training, it has been a challenging time because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," stated Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was in motion.

"The possibility to play and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was out Australia required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."

That comment will be the final thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.

In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as leader.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.

Devin Sullivan
Devin Sullivan

Environmental advocate and writer passionate about sustainable living and natural wellness.