Bladders on hold, eyes on history

South African Dressing Room Superstitions

On Friday evening, the South African players timed their bathroom breaks based on the breaks in play.

Whether it was at drinks or when their captain was being treated for his hamstring.

Not because they were asked to do so. But more due to the need they felt as a collective to maintain the same rhythm inside the dressing-room that Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram had built up in the middle of Lord's. It was that kind of partnership after all. The types in a big match which demand for every member of the team to play their part. Even if it means having to hold their bladder.

Even though assistant coach Ashwell Prince didn't quite admit to this South African dressing-room being largely superstitious, it turns out most of their predecessors were. To the extent that you weren't allowed to change your seat at any point during a Test match or a tour. Whether it was a seat on the team bus or a seat in the pavilion. At the risk of even being told off for doing so.

From all reports, there's a bit more leniency now for any indiscretion of that nature. At least for now. It might not be the case tomorrow as South Africa head closer to their holy grail. With only 69 runs left now, and the two batters in the middle in complete control when they finished proceedings on the third evening, it'd only be those with the slightly weak bladders who might have to worry about an inopportune bathroom break. Or so you'd predict if this was any team but South Africa.

But this is South Africa, and till the time they actually get over the line, there's no choice but to bring up that fact. In addition to recalling, for the umpteenth time, the numerous wobbles they've had over the years when it comes to closing the deal in a crunch game. The latest being the dramatic collapse just under 12 months ago at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

It's also safe to say that it's perhaps only their own history that stands in the way of South Africa creating history at Lord's on Saturday.