Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Overcome India

It's difficult for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the record chasers, are all that remain for a side that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to produce her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

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

That loss "motivated 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 championship match and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a challenging time because I feel like I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your fighting spirit kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the batsman was underway.

"A chance to play and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the global tournament - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was out the team required another 66 at run per delivery - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"To chase 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.

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

That comment will be the last rival teams at this championship should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory coming after win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing with the discomfort.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.

Sherri Joyce
Sherri Joyce

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