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

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Overcome India

It's difficult for the Australian squad to set fresh records.

The top summits have long been mastered.

This is the unit that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, along with six more T20 titles, and once went over three years unbeaten in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, the ones sought by the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has achieved everything.

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That it took as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batters to maintain a record if never given the possibility.

Finally, the outcome of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy getting a chance to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of famous ex Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has seen it all through 15 championship-filled years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup arrived three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India momentarily interrupted the successful run.

That loss "motivated us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the subsequent ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was named player of the tournament. She made sure her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement is debatable.

Some will argue the argument supporting championship match pressure. Some might respond with the challenge that comes when pursuing an unprecedented total and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

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

The Christchurch destruction in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock came after six matches in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the match."

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

Healy's competitiveness has consistently been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, fallen to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's inspiration.

A single came off Gaud's first delivery and from there the right-hander was underway.

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

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

By the time she was dismissed her side needed 66 more at a run-a-ball - a manageable total now needing a comfortable finish.

"Pursuing 330 is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the confidence to do that now," added Healy.

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

These statements will be the last rival teams at this World Cup want to hear.

In recent days a feeling they will win from any position has become more firm - this triumph following win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite being 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before an encounter with longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may likely be confirmed.

It was in the semi-finals they were eliminated from the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy couldn't play because of torn tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the first time at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she later said she wished she had played despite the injury.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in ODI cricket and she is hasn't yet secured an international tournament as leader.

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

Bradley Ford
Bradley Ford

Eleanor Hart is a UK-based minimalist and wellness coach dedicated to helping others find clarity through simplicity.