Australia Sets a New Benchmark as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

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

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with another six T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a squad that has won it all.

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The fact it required as late as 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 the women's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the bowlers that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It's difficult for their batsmen to hold a record if never given the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to create her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over 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 gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

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

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the final and was declared player of the series. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

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

Some will argue the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as 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 has been a challenging time because it seemed I've had no rhythm whatsoever," commented Healy.

"But once you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the match."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Scores 142 to Assist Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitiveness has always been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding legendary former captain 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.

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

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was dismissed Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - a manageable total now demanding an easy conclusion.

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

"Hopefully we don't have to repeat it but, should it happen, we are confident we can succeed."

That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this victory coming after success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they exited the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - an encounter Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wished she had played despite the injury.

However although she subsequently acknowledged those physical issues have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is yet to win a global event as captain.

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

Richard Rodgers
Richard Rodgers

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