The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Defeat India

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

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a side that has won it all.

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That it took until Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to possess a record if not afforded the chance.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a platform to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this innings followed six innings in India from the beginning of the previous month 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 appeared I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you just lock into the match."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was out Australia needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the confidence to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it another time but, if necessary, we know we can achieve it."

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

Over the past five days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they were eliminated from last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played through the pain.

However although she afterwards confessed those physical issues have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.

Jason Gray
Jason Gray

A Berlin-based political analyst with over a decade of experience covering German and European affairs.