Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

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

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

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the opportunity.

Ultimately, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

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

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Many contend the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks 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 completely," stated Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the competition."

Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in replacing famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was on her way.

"An opportunity to play and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the last rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she later admitted those fitness problems have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

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

Brittany Jones
Brittany Jones

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