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

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

This is the team that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has achieved everything.

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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, taking back their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to possess a record if not provided the opportunity.

In the end, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

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

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the winning streak.

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

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy hit 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was far harder to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this innings followed six innings in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in the nets, it has been a frustrating experience because I feel like my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your fighting spirit take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Hits 142 to Assist Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's competitive nature has always been her key asset - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

When she was dismissed her side needed 66 additional runs at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the last competing nations at this championship should hear.

During the last week a feeling they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this triumph succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

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

It was in the semi-finals they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the first time at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed thoughts of retirement, this championship is anticipated as her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her last major obstacle.

James Williams
James Williams

A certified running coach and gear reviewer with over a decade of experience in endurance sports and marathon training.