The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Beat India

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

We're talking about the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for 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 accomplish their maiden ODI chase exceeding 300, taking back their record for the highest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It's difficult for their batsmen to maintain a record if not afforded the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to produce her newest gem.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her bow and seven international trophies have followed from 10 efforts across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the winning streak.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

Whether this latest epic knock topped that previous effort can be debated.

Some will argue the reasoning behind final game tension. Different voices suggest with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing completely," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive instincts take over and you just lock into the contest."

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

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in taking over from famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and from there the batsman was underway.

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

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 as she punished short deliveries, hitting 21 fours and three big hits.

When she was removed the team needed 66 additional runs at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to repeat it but, if necessary, we are confident we can achieve it."

That comment will be the last Australia's opponents at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a world championship as captain.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her last major obstacle.

Robert Randolph
Robert Randolph

Jan de Vries is a seasoned sports journalist and former athlete with over 15 years of experience in competitive gaming.