The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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It needed until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batters to possess a record if not afforded the possibility.

Finally, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

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

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Others can counter with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was much more difficult to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it's been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

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

Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in replacing legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from that point the batsman was in motion.

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

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she punished short deliveries, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

When she was out Australia needed 66 more at run per delivery - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

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

These statements will be the final thing rival teams at this championship want to hear.

During the last week a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph following success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

During that phase they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she regretted not playing through the pain.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win an international tournament as skipper.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.

Elizabeth Weber
Elizabeth Weber

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