Veteran Alex Blackwell refuses to close the door on the next World Cup in four years, and her parting act in England on Thursday was yet another demonstration of just how important she still is to Australia.
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Blackwell pummelled 90 off 56 balls in the semi-final against India in one of the finest innings of the World Cup, and put on a record 76-run stand with Kristen Beams for the 10th wicket in an audacious bid to revive Australia's impossible run chase.
She was bowled with 37 still needed off two overs and Australia's quest for a seventh World Cup ended, the damage done by her Sydney Thunder teammate Harmanpreet Kaur, who blasted a breathtaking 171 not out off 115 balls.
Blackwell, 33, was one of Australia's most consistent performers in England, as she has been her entire career since making her debut more than 14 years ago.
Before the tournament started Blackwell said she felt her batting could still improve, and when asked about her future plans before Thursday's semi-final the NSW Breakers captain said she hadn't ruled out representing her country for another four years.
"Thirty seven is not too old, I don't think," Blackwell said. "Cathryn Fitzpatrick retired nearer 40, and she was playing her best cricket.
"I don't think you want to rule anything out. The way the game's going there's so much to look forward to and I've had the privilege of representing Australia for a long time. I've seen the game change and I'm just so thrilled to be a part of it at the moment.
"I'm still as fit as I've ever been, still looking to improve my batting and bring more shots, more aggressive approaches to the way I play the game.
"We just have to wait and see."
Blackwell scored 203 runs in England at 50.75 through five innings, always offering a calm head at the crease as she has done for more than a decade.
When she had to up the ante, against England in the pool stage and in Thursday's semi-final, she was able to do so effectively without throwing her wicket away.
She was also one of Australia's best fielders, and easily one of the team's most consistent performers during the gruelling tournament.
Coach Matthew Mott praised Blackwell's brilliant showing in the semi-final and singled out her never-say-die attitude. Indeed, Blackwell's qualities will be crucial in helping Australia bounce back from their disappointing World Cup campaign.
"It is really heartbreaking to, I guess, push the game really deep but then not quite get there in the end – it's very disappointing," Blackwell said.
"We just needed a partnership a little higher up the order. Obviously Beamsy and I were able to generate a partnership, but it was the last wicket, so if we could just had that a little bit higher in the order, then it could have been a different story."
