Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has achieved everything.

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That it took as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the biggest in the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a compliment to the bowling attack that have represented Australia over five decades.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven international trophies have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "pushed us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not come up short.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"If you've observed me in practice sessions, it's been a disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature activate and you just lock into the contest."

Media Caption: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her key asset - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the 22-year-old seamer in every game, but here that only provided Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the batsman was underway.

"An opportunity to take the field and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

Once she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now requiring a leisurely stroll.

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

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, if necessary, we are confident we can do it."

Those words will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back plans to retire, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as captain.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.

Matthew Clements
Matthew Clements

A tech-savvy writer with a passion for exploring how digital trends shape our daily lives and entertainment experiences.