The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as The Aussies Beat India

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

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

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That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

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

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She ensured her country would not fail again.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.

Some will argue the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Different voices suggest 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 considerably tougher to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it was a frustrating experience because it seemed my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the competition."

Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

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

"An opportunity to take the field and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

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

When she was out her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she afterwards commented she wished she had played despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

Triumph in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.

Steven Brown
Steven Brown

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