Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India

It's tough for Australia to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a side that has achieved everything.

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It needed as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batters to maintain a record if not provided the chance.

In the end, the outcome of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to deliver her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

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

That loss "drove 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 title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fail again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Many contend the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was far harder to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a challenging time because I feel like I lacked timing completely," said Healy.

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

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's fighting spirit has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

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

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point Healy was in motion.

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

Those words will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited last 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 captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

However although she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

Triumph in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.

Cathy Jackson
Cathy Jackson

A graphic designer and stationery enthusiast who curates unique card collections for modern celebrations.