Australia Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

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

It's difficult for Australia to achieve unprecedented feats.

The highest peaks have been successfully scaled.

This is the team that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, those for the record chasers, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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That it took as late as Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, reclaiming their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have sported the yellow jersey over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their batters to hold a record if not provided the possibility.

Ultimately, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a platform to create her latest masterpiece.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

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

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance 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 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 fail again.

The question of whether this recent magnificent innings topped that previous effort remains open for discussion.

Some will argue the case for final game tension. Some might respond with the test that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this century was much more difficult to see coming.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 happened while she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"For those following me in training, it has been a frustrating experience because it appeared I lacked timing completely," said Healy.

"But once you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts take over and you completely engage with the contest."

Media Caption: 'Brilliant' Healy Hits 142 to Aid Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her key asset - and an irreplaceable characteristic in succeeding famous previous leader Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in each encounter, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single came off the opening delivery and from there Healy was underway.

"A chance to take the field and lock in a contest with her and simply enjoy myself in that regard, kind of motivated me," said Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 pitches - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she flogged anything short, hitting 21 fours and three sixes.

By the time she was out Australia required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now needing a comfortable finish.

"To chase 330 is uncharted waters so I'm pleased we have the confidence to accomplish that now," continued Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, should it happen, we believe we can achieve it."

Those words will be the last competing nations at this tournament want to hear.

Over the past five days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this victory succeeding win against Pakistan by 107 runs despite sitting at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against traditional opponents England in Indore in ten days, by which point a semi-final berth may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they were eliminated from the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to torn tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the inaugural occasion at a significant event.

Such is her determination, she later said she regretted not playing through the pain.

Yet even as she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have pushed back plans to retire, this tournament is anticipated as her final tournament as skipper in 50-over cricket and she is yet to win a global event as leader.

Success in India would take her to the summit of her ultimate challenge.

Shannon Collins
Shannon Collins

A seasoned journalist with a decade of experience in European politics and media studies.