As Shane Watson found out in Australia's World Twenty20 epic against India, there are few fairytales in sport.
Watson, who has now retired from international cricket, would likely have been named man of the match had Australia managed to trump India and advance to a World T20 semi-final against West Indies.
The allrounder was magnificent with the ball, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina in a two-over spell that cost only eight runs and gave Australia genuine hope of victory at Mohali.
The 34-year-old celebrated both wickets wildly, as was the case when he plucked an astonishing one-handed catch to dismiss Yuvraj Singh.
Watson knew it could be his final game for Australia and that's exactly the way it played out, with his 14-year international career now over thanks to Virat Kohli's incredible innings.
"The players love him and he's been an exceptional player for us," coach Darren Lehmann said.
"Really sorry we didn't get to send him out the right way by winning a few more games. He was good away again.
"He's been harshly done by sometimes, more the public than anything else.
"He's been a fantastic player, a fantastic bloke ... hopefully he'll be around us at various stages throughout the post-playing career."
Watson was all class after the gutting loss; one of many Australian players that took to Twitter to applaud Kohli's knock.
Skipper Steve Smith was also disappointed his side failed to send out Watson on a high note.
"Obviously there are no real fairytales in sport, or very often, so that was a bit disappointing," Smith said.
"But Shane gave his all like he did every game for Australia.
"He bowled beautifully tonight and it looked like he was 25 again taking that catch."
Lehmann backed Australia's premier allrounder Mitch Marsh, who was left out of the XI against India, to step up in all three formats in the absence of Watson.
"He's got the talent to do that, it's up to him to perform now," Lehmann said.
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