The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

Video Description: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has won it all.

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The fact it required until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to accomplish their maiden ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if never given the chance.

In the end, the consequence of Australia conceding 330 was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Originally famous as the young family member of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory came three months after her first appearance and seven international trophies have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a last-four loss by India momentarily interrupted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the title decider and was named player of the tournament. She ensured her country would not fail again.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the case for championship match pressure. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 happened while she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in the nets, it has been a challenging time because I feel like my form was missing completely," said Healy.

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

Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitive nature has continuously been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was troubled by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in all three matches, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that the batsman was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and lock in a contest with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, sort of got me going," said Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at a World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was out Australia needed 66 more at one run per ball - an achievable target now needing a comfortable finish.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the belief to do that now," continued Healy.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, if we do, we believe we can achieve it."

These statements will be the final thing competing nations at this tournament should hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has become more firm - this success succeeding win against Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may well be secure.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have pushed back thoughts of retirement, this tournament is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her final mountain.

Megan King
Megan King

Lena Visser is a urban lifestyle writer and city dweller who shares practical advice for making the most of metropolitan life.