Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's challenging for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her newest gem.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

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

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the difficulty that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it's been a challenging time because it seemed my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you simply focus on the match."

Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's fighting spirit has always 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, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single was taken off the opening delivery and after that the right-hander was underway.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was removed the team needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the assurance to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to repeat it but, if we do, we believe we can do it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this triumph coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final berth may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this World Cup is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

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

John Griffin
John Griffin

Award-winning journalist with over 15 years of experience covering UK politics and international affairs, known for insightful reporting.