Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India

It's a challenge for Australia to set fresh records.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the highest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batters to hold a record if not afforded the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her bow and seven global championships have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

Whether this newest brilliant performance exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

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

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the match."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

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

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one stage.

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

During that phase they exited last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as captain.

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

Daniel Banks
Daniel Banks

Liam van der Berg is a seasoned sports journalist with over a decade of experience covering European and global sporting events.