A miraculous performance from Ellyse Perry secured the Southern Stars a stunning win with one ball remaining in their opening one-day international against South Africa at Manuka Oval on Friday.
Perry picked up 2-33 and notched up her 15th ODI half-century with an unbeaten 93 — her top ODI score — for the Southern Stars to clinch what seemed an unlikely victory for much of the run chase.
Perry's efforts with the bat mark the second time in as many matches at Manuka Oval she has cracked the 90s and the all-rounder praised the Canberra crowd for getting the hosts over the line.
"I love playing in Canberra, I think all the girls do," Perry said.
"We always get wonderful local support. The crowd tonight and the atmosphere, I honestly think it helped a lot.
"When it gets really tight like that, to have the weight of the crowd and their support behind you really makes a huge difference. Thank you very much to Canberra and hopefully we get that again on Sunday."
A Sune Luus half-century (52) helped South Africa to 5-226 after opener Lizelle Lee (38 from 29) took on the Australian attack to get the visitors off to a rollicking start.
Perry led the way for the hosts with the ball, while Kristen Beams (1-31 and a run out) and Grace Harris (1-43) were also among the wickets.
Each South African batter made a start but Luus was the only one to reach the half-century milestone, leaving the Proteas to rue what might have been.
Perry played a lone hand in reply as the Southern Stars battled from behind to clinch a thrilling last-gasp victory on the penultimate ball.
The run rate began to climb early in the innings as the Australians struggled to get the South African attack away before Alyssa Healy (28) came to the crease and took on the Proteas attack.
Healy and Perry piled on 52 runs for the sixth wicket before the former was caught out looking to get the asking rate back under a run a ball, before Perry and Beams got the hosts over the line at 8-230 off 49.5 overs.
Perry said getting over the line in a tight contest is a perfect way to begin the series for the Southern Stars with the next game scheduled for Sunday.
"We've spoken a lot about getting off to a good start in the series," Perry said.
"There's plenty to work on from today but the fact that we won and we won a tight match is always great practice and experience for the side going forward.
"It's nice to start with a win but I think everyone would be honest and say we've got a bit to improve on for the next match.
"I think these kinds of matches are invaluable overall for everyone in terms of their experience and knowing you can win the tight games when it comes down to it and in other matches going forward."
The match is the first of two at Manuka Oval with the sides set to meet in the second clash of the five-game series on Sunday (from 2.20pm).
While Perry was rescuing Australia at Manuka Oval, one of her NSW records was broken in Melbourne.
Fifteen-year-old Rachael Trenaman became the youngest Breakers debutant in history, breaking Perry's record after the latter debuted aged 16 in 2007.
It was in Canberra Trenaman became the Sydney Thunder's first female regional rookie contract winner, and while she failed to trouble the scorers it was very much a different story for Perry against the Proteas.