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

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and once went over three years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.

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It needed until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over five decades.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the run of success.

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

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

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like my form was missing completely," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the match."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

"The possibility to play and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," added Healy.

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

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed plans to retire, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as captain.

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

Aaron West
Aaron West

A seasoned digital strategist with over a decade of experience in driving online growth for businesses of all sizes.