Well-oiled South African fans had filtered out of Lord’s yesterday evening buoyantly going through their repertoire of songs after a blissful day of batting.
They shuffled through the gates on the fourth day decidedly more sombre, with the sobering reality there was still 69 runs to get.
Ashwell Prince, South Africa’s batting coach, acknowledged getting some sleep before Saturday’s date with destiny might prove difficult for their players.
So, almost inevitably, there were some sweaty palms and a few jitters. At least until the runs required trickled down to single figures when consternation turned to celebration.
There were audible gasps when Cummins’ eighth ball of the morning skidded through low, completely deceiving Markram.
Then four deliveries later Bavuma dabbled at one which Cummins got to seam away and edged into the gloves of wicketkeeper Alex Carey.
Australia couldn’t do this, could they?
Bavuma, who played the majority of his innings limping with a hamstring twang, hobbled off. It was an appropriate metaphor for the rest of the chase.
Markram did provide flashes of aggression – cutting and pulling Cummins for four to raucous encouragement – before another Starc reality check.
Stubbs’ footwork had looked suspect to the Aussie left-arm quick round the wicket and he was bowled by one which nipped back through his defensive prod and pad to hit the top of off.
Next ball Bedingham played and missed at a peach of a delivery from Starc which nipped away and narrowly avoided the edge of his bat.
For a few moments, the tension was palpable.
Having burned both their remaining reviews – a potential caught behind off Stubbs’ glove and a flimsy lbw appeal against Bedingham – Cummins left himself no wriggle room in the event of some late drama.
But when the dependable Bedingham – South Africa’s top scorer in the first innings – settled in his rhythm alongside the ice-cool Markram the game was up for the Aussies.
Markram whipped Josh Hazlewood for four then did the same next ball for three to bring the amount needed down to single figures.
Markram missed his opportunity to provide the champagne moment when he whipped one off his pads to Head, who barely celebrated.
Australia’s players, practically to a man, came to shake his hand and Markram departed to a standing ovation.
It would have annoyed Makram for a fleeting moment but soon South Africa’s players were erupting in celebration on the balcony in the home dressing room.
Verreynne fluffed a ramp – UltraEdge showing he had in fact got some bat on it – before he delivered the winning moment in a more orthodox fashion on the drive.
They are chokers no more.
