Defending champions Australia made a dramatic comeback to beat old foes England by five runs and enter their fourth successive women's World Twenty20 final, in New Delhi, on Wednesday.
Chasing 133, England were cruising at 87 for one before they self-destructed against their fighting opponents and ended up with 127 for seven in 20 overs.
Put in to bat, Australia captain Meg Lanning (55 off 50 balls) guided her team to 132 for six. Then the bowlers, led by medium pacer Megan Schutt (2-15), pulled off a sensational victory for the team that has pocketed the last three World T20 titles.
England needed 13 off the final over, but Schutt bowled miserly to seal the issue for the Aussies.
It was hard to imagine an Australian win with the start that the English team had got. The in-form opening pair of Charlotte Edwards (31) and Tammy Beaumont (32) provided a brisk start to take England to the 50-run mark in just seven overs.
This kind of stroke-play was seldom seen in the tournament prior to today's game, but England's openers gave the sparse crowd at the Feroz Shah Kotla plenty to cheer about.
Edwards, the team's leading run-getter in the tournament, carried her sublime touch to the crunch game and was ably supported by Beaumont.
Beaumont started with a fine flick off medium pacer Ellyse Perry in the second over before smashing her for a six over square leg three overs later.
Edwards was not to be left far behind, as she combined elegance with innovation. She struck a copybook straight drive with as much ease as she orchestrated a reverse sweep.
It seemed England were running away with the game until Australia got the much-needed wicket of Edwards, who was caught cleanly at extra cover.
England were 67 for one in 10 overs then and needed just another 66 from the last 10. It was imperative for them to keep going after Edwards's departure.
Sarah Taylor joined Beaumont and she came out of the crease to smack left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen for a six over extra cover.
However, Beaumont was caught at cover off Schutt, giving Australia another window for a comeback. Another quick wicket, that of Natalie Sciver, meant the contest was alive again and the target was now 42 more runs in the last five overs.
All England needed was some sensible batting to see them through, but they kept losing wickets. From 89 for 1, they were reeling at 103 for 5 before finishing with 127.
Brief scores:
Australia: 132 for six in 20 overs (Meg Lanning 55; Natalie Sciver 2-22).
England: 127 for seven in 20 overs (Tammy Beaumont 32; Megan Schutt 2-15).
