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

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Overcome India

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are all that remain for a team that has achieved everything.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if never given the opportunity.

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

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was in motion.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was removed Australia required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

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

Shelby Williams
Shelby Williams

Elara Vance is a seasoned lifestyle journalist with over a decade of experience covering luxury brands and global travel trends.

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