Matthew Wade and Mitchell Starc were both dropped in the final over but still managed to squeeze Australia to a thrilling three-wicket victory over the West Indies with one ball to spare in the T20 international at Metricon Stadium.
Australia needed 11 to win from Sheldon Cottrell's final over on Wednesday when wicketkeeper-batsman Wade (39no off 29 balls) was dropped by Raymon Reifer with seven still needed.
Kyle Mayers then failed to cling on to another chance in the deep to get rid of Starc off the fourth ball, before the paceman took advantage of his reprieve to get the hosts across the line with two off the penultimate ball.
Australia captain Aaron Finch (58 off 53 balls) had pushed himself down the order to No.4 to give allrounder Cameron Green a crack at opening the innings where he had been so successful on the recent T20 tour of India.
But chasing the West Indies total of 9-145, Australia were in dire trouble at 5-58 in just the eighth over.
Finch, though, found a willing ally in Wade with the duo combining for a 69-run sixth-wicket stand against the gallant visitors.
Australian paceman Pat Cummins said the side "bowled really well but probably weren't as clinical as we would have liked with the bat."
"I think it is great that someone like Matty Wade at No.7 has got us home like he has quite a few times but ideally those kind of chases you do a bit easier," he said.
"(Wade) has really just really taken that mantle as a finisher. He's nailed that spot.
"I thought (Finch) was fantastic with that old, wise head and just got the job done. Green batted really well in India... and I wouldn't be surprised if you see a couple of combinations heading into the World Cup."
Finch had said pre-match that he didn't think Green would be a late inclusion in the already-named squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, but his own move down the order won't stop that speculation.
Finch was at the crease early after David Warner and Mitch Marsh departed in Cottrell's opening over.
The Australian skipper had spoken of his desire for his team to be over-aggressive rather than cautious in their approach. He said it was "high risk, high reward".
On this occasion, though, he adopted a more measured approach after the top order had thrown their wickets away.
Green (14 off 10) had a short stay. Not as short, though, as that of Glenn Maxwell and Tim David who both made ducks after undisciplined leg-side swipes.
West Indies legspinner Yannic Cariah (1-15 off four) was superb on debut.
West Indies paceman Alzarri Joseph (2-17 off four) said the performance of the side was heartening.
"Everyone is in a good head space and confident with the way we have been preparing. We really pushed Australia," he said.
Earlier, West Indies opener Mayers (39 off 36) was in fine form early and took the game to the bowlers with an array of exquisite strokes.
Mayers played one shot of immense class when he rocked onto the back foot and punched a Cameron Green delivery high over the cover boundary.
The West Indies were 1-47 after five overs and set for a total of 180-plus before spinners Adam Zampa and Maxwell stemmed the run flow.
Australia's strike fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood (3-35 off four) and Cummins (2-22 off four) then turned the screws before a late cameo by West Indies bowling allrounder Odean Smith (27 off 17) gave them a chance.
