Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India

It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.

Finally, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier 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 followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

If this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," stated Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was underway.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we know we can do it."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as leader.

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

David Wright
David Wright

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