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

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Defeat India

It's difficult for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

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That it took up to Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's challenging for their hitters to hold a record if never given the opportunity.

Finally, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have come from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind 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 is certain is this ton was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the contest."

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

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from there Healy was on her way.

"A chance to go out there and engage in competition 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 World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was out the team needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

In recent days a sense they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as leader.

Victory in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.

Jeff Luna
Jeff Luna

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