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

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the team that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the chance.

Finally, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have come 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 successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it was a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was removed her side required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

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

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

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

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.

Jesus Hernandez
Jesus Hernandez

A tech journalist with over a decade of experience covering AI, cybersecurity, and consumer electronics across Europe.