England blew the women's World Cup wide open on Sunday with their first win over Australia in the tournament since 1993 as the aura surrounding the defending champions and raging favourites was significantly pierced by the home side.
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A late flurry by the Aussies wasn't enough as England successfully defended their 8-259, winning by three runs and joining Australia and India on four wins atop the World Cup standings.
This was a hugely significant and rare triumph for England over Australia in the first ODI meetings between the two sides in almost two years.
Had they lost again to the old enemy, England would have been in danger of missing the top four on home soil. As it stands, the competition is delicately poised with South Africa and New Zealand just half a win behind the leading trio.
Australia looked to have this run chase in control until captain Meg Lanning was dismissed for 40 off 46 balls, bowled by the outstanding Alex Hartley, who also claimed the wicket of Beth Mooney.
From there they lost pace with the run rate despite a measured 70 from Ellyse Perry, which held the innings together.
"The period between overs 30 and 40 was what cost us in the end - we did well to make a game of it towards the end with some big hitting but we left ourselves with too much to do," Lanning said.
"Me and Pez had established a good partnership then I got out which wasn't ideal and we just lost a bit of momentum and left too much to do."
Cameos down the order by Alex Blackwell (21), Alyssa Healy (14) and Ashleigh Gardner (11) left the equation at 16 runs required from the last over. Jess Jonassen (14 not out) only managed two off the final delivery when six was required.
Despite the win, Hartley believes Australia remained the benchmark of this year's World Cup but said the tournament was now wide open.
"They're a team to beat but everyone capable of beating each other," the left-arm orthodox bowler said.
"The results in this tournament over the past couple of weeks have shown that, India beating us then South Africa beating India yesterday."
This could prove a timely wake-up call for Australia. They'd cruised through the competition to this point, winning their opening four games without too much fuss or fervour. This defeat will crystallise their resolve as they chase a seventh World Cup crown.
But question marks remain around Lanning's fitness. She is clearly being hampered by her painful shoulder injury, which kept her out of the win over Pakistan and may well cost her another pool game as Australia look to preserve their best batter for the finals.
Her innings came at number four instead of the usual first drop as the Australian coaching staff did their best to manage her workload.
"We just decided at half time that Pez [Perry] would bat at three and me at four, but I was in a couple of balls later so it made no difference," Lanning said.
"Ellyse Perry's a great number three to come in if I don't come in. We were just playing that by ear a little bit, it doesn't really upset the team too much at all so I don't think it's a big issue."
The greatest ODI centurion in the women's game refuses to let this persistent shoulder problem beat her, but it doesn't appear to be healing any time soon and she visibly favours her left side while batting and fielding.
Credit must go to England, who recovered from 4-102 after winning the toss and batting to post a defendable score.
Tammy Beaumont hit 49 opening the batting while Katherine Brunt's 45 not out gave her side a significant boost in its latter batting overs, and she backed it up with 2-42.
Australia's next assignment is against India on Wednesday while India clashes with New Zealand.
