The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as The Aussies Defeat India

It's tough for the Australian squad to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, along with an additional six T20 titles, and once went 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, those for the record chasers, are all that remain for a squad that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took until Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, reclaiming their record for the biggest in the female 50-over format, is, in truth, a testament to the bowlers that have represented Australia over the past 50 years.

It's challenging for their batsmen to maintain a record if not provided the possibility.

Finally, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting an opportunity to create her latest masterpiece.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 championship-filled years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the winning streak.

That loss "pushed 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 championship match and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fail again.

If this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort can be debated.

Certain people claim the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the test that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to anticipate.

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this performance 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 disappointing period because it seemed I lacked timing at all," commented Healy.

"Yet the moment you step out on the field, your competitive instincts take over and you simply focus on the competition."

Video Description: 'Fantastic' Healy Scores 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and an irreplaceable characteristic in replacing iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was on her way.

"An opportunity to take the field 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 reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

Once she was dismissed 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 am glad we have the confidence to do that now," stated Healy further.

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

Those words will be the ultimate thing competing nations at this tournament need to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has only strengthened - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Next Australia play Bangladesh before a meeting with traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may probably be guaranteed.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

So great is her will, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

But while she subsequently acknowledged those injuries have pushed back consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her concluding event as leader in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

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

Karen Gonzalez
Karen Gonzalez

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