Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as The Aussies Overcome India

It's tough for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the peak baggers, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the opportunity.

In the end, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given an opportunity to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played 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 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have come from 10 efforts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "pushed us to rethink our standards," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

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

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was far harder to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock came after six matches in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off Gaud's first delivery and after that the right-hander was on her way.

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

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

By the time she was removed the team required another 66 at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I am glad we have the belief to achieve that now," added Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final berth may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this World Cup is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as skipper.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.

Robert Jones
Robert Jones

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