Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India

It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

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

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It needed up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

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

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there 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 commented earlier.

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

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've observed me in the nets, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," stated Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit activate and you completely engage with the contest."

Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was dismissed the team required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.

Yet even as she later admitted those physical issues have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as leader.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.

Whitney Carter
Whitney Carter

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