Australia were as clinical as expected in sweeping West Indies out of their path to the T20 World Cup final, as an eight-wicket victory removed their "semi-final curse".
Such an emphatic result at The Oval bolstered Australia's reputation as trophy favourites, but it was perhaps their relief at securing their place at Lord's on Sunday that was most telling.
It offered some insight into how hard it has been for a team so used to being world-beaters. They came in with a shaky recent record in the knockout phase of global tournaments, but demonstrated the work they've done to address that.
Australia were knocked out in the semi-finals of last year's 50-over World Cup by eventual champions India, and at the 2024 T20 World Cup by South Africa, who finished as runners-up to New Zealand. That meant that Australia entered this event without any silverware to defend for the first time since 2018.
"It's obviously been pretty frustrating, the way that we've ended our campaigns over the last couple of World Cups," said Ash Gardner, whose two wickets and 20-ball 35 in a half-century stand with Beth Mooney earned her Player of the Match. "But I guess, brush that off, get that curse away.
"I felt like this is the best cricket that we've played in a very long time. I think I've said it before, but we're not relying on one or two people, so it's almost like in those big moments different people are standing up, which is amazing to be a part of.
"Everyone's playing their role when they're called upon. So to, I guess, get rid of that semi-final curse and now walk into Sunday really confident as a team is super pleasing."
Mooney, whose unbeaten 61 off 36 balls took Australia past a meagre target of 126 with seven overs to spare, revealed that the team had spoken in the lead-up to this World Cup about managing themselves in big games and pressure moments.
"It's a much better way to be sitting in a press conference after a semi-final, that's for sure," Mooney said. "It's been well-documented, we haven't quite got over the line in those big games in the past. Even chasing 125, it's never over until it's over. You want to make real sure of it. Thankfully, we were able to do that both with the ball and the bat."
In some ways, that's surprising to hear that from a team that seemed so indomitable for so many years, having reached eight out of 10 T20 World Cups for six titles. But then again, it wasn't such a surprise to hear and see that they have addressed their shortcomings, in a bid to ensure they make it back to the top.
"Individually and collectively, we've done a lot of work on how to manage that, and how best to present ourselves and show our skills when it matters," Mooney said. "Fortunately today, pretty much everyone nailed their role. We came away with what we came here to do, and that was to be at the final at Lord's on Sunday."
Mooney is Australia's second-highest run-scorer at the tournament to date, with 174 at 43.50 and a strike-rate of 147.45, behind Ellyse Perry, who is fourth overall with 185 striking at 135.03.
Perry, the most in-form batter in the tournament behind England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, retired hurt against West Indies with "minor quad awareness", having scored 2 off seven balls. However, Mooney insisted that the move was purely precautionary.
"Obviously, there's a lot on the line now for us and perhaps, at that point, there wasn't too much in the way, I think we needed less than five an over, so it was very precautionary," Mooney said. "I think it was the right thing to get her off and make sure she's right for Sunday."
With Perry off, Gardner came in to back up her performance as the pick of Australia's enviable spin attack with four fours and a six, including the winning runs. She had taken 2 for 13 from her four overs, including a double-wicket maiden to remove Stafanie Taylor and Jahzara Claxton for no score.
It was by far her best bowling performance of this tournament, having taken just one wicket from four previous matches. Gardner also scored half-centuries against Netherlands and India, the latter in a crucial partnership with Perry worth 100 in 59 balls.
"She batted beautifully against India at Lord's the other day," Mooney said. "She gets a lot of confidence from that and I think we saw that today with the ball, where she bowled beautifully and took wickets at critical times.
"We know the threat that she poses to other teams and we're very lucky to have her at our disposal in our team. Certainly, going into the pointy end of the competition, it's always good to have all your players in good form."