The Australian Team Sets a New Benchmark as Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

Video Description: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Beat India

It's a challenge for the Australian squad to break new ground.

The greatest achievements have already been conquered.

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

The remaining milestones, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are what's still available for a side that has won it all.

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That it took up to Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to complete their first ODI chase above 300, regaining their record for the largest in women's cricket's 50-over format, is, frankly, a tribute to the bowlers 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 opportunity.

In the end, the consequence of Australia giving up 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy receiving a chance to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the teenage relative of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after her country didn't secure either of the T20 or ODI World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 trophy-laden years since.

A T20 championship victory happened three months after her first appearance and seven world titles have followed from 10 tries across formats.

The gritty keeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final defeat by India briefly halted the winning streak.

That loss "pushed us to reevaluate our levels," Healy said this week.

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

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort can be debated.

Many contend the argument supporting final game tension. Some might respond with the difficulty that comes when facing a record target and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's definite is this hundred was much more difficult to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 came as she topped the run-scoring charts, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had not exceeded 30 runs.

"For those following me in training, it's been a frustrating experience because I feel like I lacked timing completely," said Healy.

"Yet the moment you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you simply focus on the contest."

Video Description: 'Excellent' Healy Makes 142 to Aid Australia Complete Record Run Chase

Healy's fighting spirit has always been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from legendary former captain Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's promising player Kranti Gaud in last month's ODI series, out to the young fast bowler in all three matches, but this time it merely gave Healy's spark.

One run resulted off the opening delivery and after that the batsman was in motion.

"A chance to go out there and lock in a contest with her and merely enjoy the moment in that regard, somewhat inspired me," said Healy.

She reached fifty in 35 deliveries - her quickest at a World Cup - and her ton in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

By the time she was removed her side needed 66 more at one run per ball - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the assurance to achieve that now," continued Healy.

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

Those words will be the last competing nations at this World Cup should hear.

During the last week a belief they will triumph from any situation has only strengthened - this success coming after victory over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite sitting at 76-7 at a certain moment.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before an encounter with old rivals England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

It was in the semi-finals they exited the previous year's T20 World Cup in an unexpected loss by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of ruptured tissue in her foot as she captained her nation for the first time at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she afterwards commented she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed plans to retire, this World Cup is likely to be her concluding event as leader in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve an international tournament as skipper.

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

Jason Davis
Jason Davis

Elena Hartwell is a London-based journalist specializing in political analysis and cultural commentary with over a decade of experience.