Australia Breaks New Ground as Healy Faces One Final Mountain.

Media Caption: Healy Guides Historic Pursuit as Australia Overcome India

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

This is the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed over three years undefeated in 50-over cricket.

The remaining milestones, targeted by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a team that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in the female 50-over format, is, honestly, a tribute to the bowlers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their batsmen to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Then best known as the 19-year-old niece of renowned former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her nation didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has experienced everything through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her debut and seven world titles have resulted from 10 efforts across formats.

The tough gloveman was also there in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India temporarily stopped the run of success.

That loss "motivated us to reevaluate our levels," Healy stated recently.

At the following one-day championship in New Zealand, Healy scored 170 against England in the championship match and was declared player of the series. She ensured 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 difficulty that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 occurred when she was the highest scorer, but this performance was preceded by six games in India from the beginning of the previous month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've been watching me in training, it was a frustrating experience because it appeared my form was missing at all," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you enter the playing area, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Makes 142 to Help Australia Accomplish Unprecedented Chase

Healy's competitiveness has always been her great strength - and an invaluable trait in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, dismissed by the young fast bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

One run resulted off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was in motion.

"The possibility to go out there and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun that way, somewhat inspired me," stated Healy.

She got to fifty in 35 deliveries - her swiftest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three big hits.

By the time she was dismissed the team needed 66 additional runs at one run per ball - an unconquered height now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the confidence to achieve that now," continued Healy.

"Hopefully we don't have to do it another time but, should it happen, we know we can achieve it."

That comment will be the ultimate thing rival teams at this World Cup need to hear.

Over the past five days a belief they will win from any position has grown stronger - this triumph coming after win against Pakistan by 107 run margin despite being 76-7 at a certain moment.

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

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a game Healy couldn't play because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at an important competition.

Such is her determination, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated with the discomfort.

But while she later admitted those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is anticipated as her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is hasn't yet secured a global event as skipper.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her ultimate challenge.

Matthew Rios
Matthew Rios

Tech enthusiast and wearable expert with a passion for reviewing the latest gadgets.