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

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India

It's a challenge for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and once went nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.

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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets 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, honestly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

Whether this latest epic knock surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this hundred was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the match."

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

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three big hits.

Once she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, should it happen, we are confident we can do it."

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

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

But while 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 one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.

Alejandro Williams
Alejandro Williams

Elara is an interior designer and lifestyle writer with over a decade of experience, passionate about blending functionality with aesthetic appeal.