The Australian Team Breaks New Ground as Captain Alyssa Healy Confronts Her Ultimate Challenge.

Media Caption: Healy Leads Record Chase as Australia Defeat India

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

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the squad that has claimed seven Cricket World Cups, in addition to six more T20 titles, and earlier maintained 1,294 days without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the peak baggers, are what's still available for a side that has accomplished all there is.

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The fact it required as late as Sunday's three-wicket win over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, regaining their record for the highest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a testament to the pitchers that have sported the yellow jersey over the last half-century.

It is hard for their hitters to maintain a record if not afforded the chance.

Finally, the result of Australia allowing 330 runs was captain Alyssa Healy being given a chance to produce her newest gem.

Originally famous as the young family member of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she debuted in 2010 after her nation failed to win either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

Success in the T20 World Cup happened three months after her bow and seven international trophies have come from 10 tries across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was present as well in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reconsider our benchmarks," Healy said this week.

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

Whether this newest brilliant performance topped that previous effort is debatable.

Many contend the reasoning behind championship match pressure. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when facing a record target and a raucous India-supporting crowd of 20,000.

What is certain is this ton was much more difficult to predict.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she led the batting statistics, but this innings was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had been unable to reach 30.

"If you've observed me in training, it was a disappointing period because it appeared I lacked timing completely," stated Healy.

"But once you take the field, your competitive nature kick in and you completely engage with the competition."

Media Caption: 'Fantastic' Healy Makes 142 to Assist Australia Achieve Historic Pursuit

Healy's competitive nature has consistently been her major advantage - and a priceless quality in taking over from iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in recent ODI series, dismissed by the emerging pace bowler in each encounter, but this time it merely gave Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off the bowler's initial ball and after that Healy was underway.

"An opportunity to play and face the challenge with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, somewhat inspired me," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her swiftest at the global tournament - and her century in 84 as she attacked short-pitched balls, striking 21 boundaries and three maximums.

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

"Chasing 330 runs is uncharted waters so I am glad we have the confidence to do 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 championship need to hear.

During the last week a belief they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this success coming after success over Pakistan by 107 runs despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Following this Australia face Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in a week and a half, by which point a semi-final place may likely be confirmed.

It was at that stage they left last year's T20 World Cup in a surprising setback by South Africa - a match Healy missed because of torn tissue in her foot as she led her country for the initial instance at a major tournament.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wanted to have participated despite the injury.

Yet even as she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed consideration of ending her career, this tournament is likely to be her final tournament as skipper in one-day cricket and she is still to achieve a global event as skipper.

Triumph in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.

Lisa Johnson
Lisa Johnson

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