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

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Defeat India

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy being given a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the match."

Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's competitive nature has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from there Healy was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was out her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is anticipated as her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

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

Joseph Navarro
Joseph Navarro

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