The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Defeat India

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the pitchers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the successful run.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy made 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 newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Many contend the case for championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing at all," said Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you just lock into the contest."

Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and after that Healy was in motion.

"An opportunity to play and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

Once she was out her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

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

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will win from any position has become more firm - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

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

Michael Salazar
Michael Salazar

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on business and society.