The West Indies survived a typical middle order collapse to pull off a shock three-wicket victory over Australia in a round-robin league match and confirm a place in the DLF Cup tri-series final on Monday.
Chasing a target of 273, the Caribbeans were cruising at 242 for 3 before they lost four wickets for 13 runs to give the three-time World champions a glimmer of hope for victory.
But all-rounder Dwayne Bravo (37 not out) and wicketkeeper-batsman Carlton Baugh Jr. (7 not out) kept their nerve to see their team home with 16 balls to spare in the day-night clash at the Kinrara Oval.
Opener Chris Gayle scored a well-paced 79 to provide the West Indies a solid start despite a few early hiccups.
Captain Brian Lara then hit an accomplished 87 and in the company of Gayle put on 151 runs for the third-wicket stand before the Aussies fought their way back with some spirited bowling and fielding.
Australia's total of 272 for six was built around stand-in captain Michael Hussey's unbeaten 109, his maiden one-day hundred, and an equally aggressive 70 by Brad Haddin.
The victory gave the West Indies four points and pushed their tally to nine from three matches, which assures them a berth in the final irrespective of the results in the last two matches.
The result also means India (2 points) and Australia (7) must win their remaining ties to make it to the September 24 final.
Australia have one match to go, against India on September 22, while India also have to play the West Indies on Wednesday.
Earlier, the 31-year old Hussey, acting as captain for Ricky Ponting, forged a 166-run partnership with Brad Haddin, which was instrumental in Australia's recovery from 104 for five at one stage.
The left-hander, playing in only his 41st ODI, hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 90-ball knock while Haddin struck three fours and four sixes in 76 balls.
Matthew Hayden, playing in his first match of the tour, made a solid 49 and the Queensland opener steered the Australians out of early trouble when they were reduced to 64 for four.
Hussey and Haddin accelerated superbly in the closing overs, the last seven overs producing 73 runs.
At one stage, Haddin scored a six each in three successive overs, two off Marlon Samuels and one off Chris Gayle.
Hussey on the other hand unleashed his big shots against seamers Jerome Taylor (1-53) and Dwayne Bravo (2-52).
Australia rested Ponting, Damien Martyn and Glenn McGrath to give Hussey, Hayden, Brett Lee and Andrew Symonds their first outing in the series.
The Windies seemed to be heading towards a comfortable victory when Gayle and Lara were at the crease. The two left-handers were hardly troubled by the Aussie bowling that looked toothless without McGrath and Mitchell Johnson, who had terrorised the Indian batsmen the other day.
Rookie off-spinner Dan Cullen had the temerity to take on Lara with some verbal exchange but the master blaster responded by hoisting him over the straight sight-screen for a huge six.
Gayle, however, fell to a trap, pulling Shane Watson's short-pitched delivery straight to Hussey at midwicket.
Forty-severn runs later, Lara mistimed a hook against Lee and the top edge ricocheted on to his gloves and popped up for a simple catch to Hussey again at first slip.
Just then, panic set into the West Indian camp.
Wavell Hinds flashed at Lee and was caught behind for one, and Marlong Samuels (0) took on Michael Clarke at point for a single and failed to beat the left-hander's direct hit.
When Dwayne Smith (4) was bowled through the gate by Andrew Symonds, the bitter memories of Tuesday came flooding back.
Then, chasing a target of 280, Lara's men were well set at 172 for one before blowing away the match by losing the last nine wickets for 29 runs.
Today, however, there was to be no repeat of it.
Baugh steadied the nerves with a six over long-off off Symonds before Bravo hit a four off Nathan Bracken.
