Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India

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

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

This is the unit 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 alternative records, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batsmen to possess a record if not provided the possibility.

In the end, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it's been a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm at all," said Healy.

"However when you enter the playing area, your competitive nature take over and you just lock into the match."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitiveness has continuously been her great strength - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in all three matches, but here that only provided Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 balls as she punished short deliveries, scoring 21 fours and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we know we can succeed."

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

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has grown stronger - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before an encounter with traditional opponents England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in 50-over cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a world championship as skipper.

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

Matthew Robinson
Matthew Robinson

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