The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Overcome India

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

The top summits have already been conquered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

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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 biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy getting a platform to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature take over and you simply focus on the match."

Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was out her side required another 66 at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if we do, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.

Teresa Schultz
Teresa Schultz

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