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

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India

It's tough for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has won it all.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over five decades.

It's difficult for their batters to possess a record if never given the chance.

In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier 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 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you simply focus on the match."

Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and from that point the right-hander was on her way.

"An opportunity to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

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

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we are confident we can achieve it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this championship need to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.

Selena Murphy
Selena Murphy

Elena Voss is a certified financial planner with 15 years of experience helping individuals and families build secure financial futures.