Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team 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 complete their first ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their hitters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven global championships have resulted from 10 attempts across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not come up short.

Whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the argument supporting final game tension. Different voices suggest with the test that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she was the highest scorer, but this performance followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," commented Healy.

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

Video Description: 'Brilliant' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitiveness has always been her key asset - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star 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 spark.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself in that aspect, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

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

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm pleased we have the assurance to do that now," added Healy.

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

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has only strengthened - this triumph coming after victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

It was at that stage they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

However although she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is expected to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

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

Christopher Webster
Christopher Webster

A tech journalist and gaming enthusiast with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and digital culture.