Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as The Aussies Overcome India

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

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

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Others can counter 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 predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, 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's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the competition."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there Healy was in motion.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

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

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited 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 captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

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

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

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

Catherine Manning
Catherine Manning

A freelance arts journalist and curator based in London, specializing in contemporary music and visual arts.