Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as The Aussies Defeat India

It's tough for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have long been mastered.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and once went over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are all that remain for a squad that has achieved everything.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the biggest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, in truth, a tribute to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if never given the possibility.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was leader Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to create her latest masterpiece.

Initially recognized as the teenage relative of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven global championships have followed from 10 attempts across formats.

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

That loss "motivated us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy stated recently.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She guaranteed her country would not fall short again.

If this latest epic knock exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the reasoning behind the pressure of a final. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What is certain is this hundred was considerably tougher to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," stated Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive nature take over and you completely engage with the contest."

Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Scores 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

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 rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

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

"An opportunity to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that aspect, kind of motivated me," commented Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 balls - her quickest at a World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she attacked short-pitched balls, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

Once she was removed her side needed 66 more at run per delivery - an achievable target now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Pursuing 330 is new territory so I'm happy we have the assurance to achieve that now," stated Healy further.

"Preferably we shouldn't have to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can succeed."

Those words will be the final thing competing nations at this World Cup want to hear.

Over the past five days a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this success following victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a match against old rivals England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may probably be guaranteed.

It was in the semi-finals they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she afterwards commented she wanted to have participated through the pain.

But while she later admitted those injuries have delayed plans to retire, this tournament is expected to be her last as captain in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as captain.

Victory in India would lead her to the peak of her final mountain.

Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson

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