One of the hallmarks of Australia's dominance of women's cricket has been the fielding, but no one is perfect and an uncharacteristic lapse by Phoebe Litchfield has cost her English Hundred franchise side victory.
Leeds Sunrisers were putting the squeeze on Manchester Super Giants as the visitors pursued 143 to win in Yorkshire.
Two wickets in three balls had left MSG 4-68 at the innings mid-point. India batter Smriti Mandhana, 30 off 21 balls, was the key wicket, so when she pulled the next ball to Litchfield at mid-wicket bowler Jess Jonassen was delighted.
Then she was shocked and horrified as Litchfield, who had to advance a little, spilled the catch.
Sometimes a fielder gets lucky after a drop, the batter out soon after, but Litchfield's pain never ended.
Though Jonassen (1-34 off 20) dismissed Mady Villiers two balls later, Mandhana hit 58 off her next 28 balls to lead Manchester to victory with four balls to spare. She smashed her last two for six as they scored 6-147 in reply to Leeds' 4-142.
Mandhana ended with 88 not out off 50 balls, by some distance the highest score of on Tuesday's (Wednesday AEST) match.
Australia's Meg Lanning was the only other Manchester player to reach double figures, making 24 off 18 balls and she was also dropped, on six.
Skipper Lanning accepted the Super Giants, who have now won two and had their other match washed out, have room to improve.
"We've gelled together really nicely, on and off the field, to get two wins on the board without playing our best cricket is a really good sign", Lanning said.
Of Litchfield's drop she added: "You take them, you get some luck, on other days you are out to a blinder so it comes around."
Put in to bat Sunrisers had lost Jonassen (seven) early, the unfortunate former Australia international run out backing up after compatriot Maitlan Brown deflected Bryony Smith's powerful drive onto the stumps while trying to effect a caught-and-bowled.
Litchfield should have followed in the next over, but was herself dropped at backward point when on one.
It is never good to offer Litchfield a second chance, but the young Aussie did not take as much advantage as Mandhana, though she did make 31 off 26 before holing out to long on.
Annabel Sutherland took up the mantle and made 35 off 23 before miscueing Brown to wide mid-off. She had hit Brown (1-27 off 20) for 10 runs the previous three balls.
Lanning set about the chase with a six and two fours, only to be well caught by Sutherland running back.
When four wickets went for 14 runs, including Brown run out for a duck having faced one ball following a poor call by Mandhana, Leeds looked on course for victory.
But the India vice-captain shrugged off her culpability and made up for it the best possible way.
