Australia Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten 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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It needed up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fail again.

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."

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

In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a global event as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.

Daisy Pace
Daisy Pace

Passionate cyclist and outdoor enthusiast with over a decade of experience in bike touring and gear testing.