Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

We're talking about the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a squad that has achieved everything.

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win 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 World Cup win happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was declared player of the series. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Many contend the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this performance followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it has been a challenging time because it seemed I lacked timing whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the match."

Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in every game, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was underway.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was out the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, if we do, we know we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last rival teams at this tournament want to hear.

During the last week a feeling they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those injuries have postponed thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as captain.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.

Kaitlyn Jones
Kaitlyn Jones

Elara is a seasoned journalist with a passion for uncovering stories that matter, bringing clarity to complex global issues.