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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. <\/p>\n
They shuffled through the gates on the fourth day decidedly more sombre, with the sobering reality there was still 69 runs to get.<\/p>\n
Ashwell Prince, South Africa’s batting coach, acknowledged getting some sleep before Saturday’s date with destiny might prove difficult for their players.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
There were audible gasps when Cummins’ eighth ball of the morning skidded through low, completely deceiving Markram.<\/p>\n
Then four deliveries later Bavuma dabbled at one which Cummins got to seam away and edged into the gloves of wicketkeeper Alex Carey.<\/p>\n
Australia couldn’t do this, could they?<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Markram did provide flashes of aggression – cutting and pulling Cummins for four to raucous encouragement – before another Starc reality check.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n