Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Defeat India

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

The greatest achievements have long been mastered.

We're talking about the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, plus six more T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, those for the peak baggers, are all that remain for a team that has won it all.

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That it took up to Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women'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 batsmen to hold a record if not afforded the opportunity.

In the end, the result of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her newest gem.

Then best known as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the T20 or ODI World Cups from the prior year and has experienced everything through 15 trophy-laden years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup came three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have come from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

If this newest brilliant performance surpassed that earlier display is debatable.

Many contend the argument supporting championship match pressure. Others can counter with the test that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What's definite is this century was much more difficult to see coming.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when 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 been watching me in training, it's been a disappointing period because I feel like I lacked timing whatsoever," commented Healy.

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

Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her major advantage - and an invaluable trait in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

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

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and face the challenge with her and merely enjoy the moment that way, sort of got me going," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 deliveries while she attacked short-pitched balls, hitting 21 fours and three maximums.

By the time she was removed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a belief they will triumph from any situation has become more firm - this triumph following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the initial instance at a significant event.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wanted to have participated through the pain.

But while she afterwards confessed those injuries have delayed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is expected to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Victory in India would bring her to the top of her final mountain.

Ralph Farley
Ralph Farley

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