South Africa on Top of the World

Ten minutes before the start of the last day's play in the WTC final against Australia at Lord's, the ICC Test mace was removed from the outfield.

South Africa came back from losing five wickets for 12 runs in the first innings to venture within 69 runs of victory and eight wickets standing.

Pat Cummins bowled the first delivery of the day to Temba Bavuma, who offered a straight bat and sent the ball back to the bowler. Bavuma was later bowled by Cummins for 66, straining a hamstring on Friday.

Bavuma's partnership with Aiden Markram, the only century partnership of the match, endured for 200 minutes and put meat on the bones of belief in the team.

But it wasn't simple. Australia's bowling coach Daniel Vettori said they understood the magnitude of the task and appreciated how well Bavuma and Markram batted.

Tristan Stubbs emerged to replace Bavuma and batted as if someone told him not to bat like himself. He was later bowled by Mitchell Starc.

David Bedingham had played 57 first-class matches in England before, but this was his only appearance at that level at Lord's. Bedingham's 45 in the first innings was South Africa's highest score.

Would he be able to stay with the nerveless Markram? Markram promptly thumped the second new ball for four through midwicket. Fourteen were needed.

Markram launched a meaty pull off the last ball of that over and was stunningly caught by Travis Head at midwicket. He stood at the crease required. Lord's stood to acclaim his 136.

Six required. Kyle Verreynne took a single off Starc, as did Verreynne. Then Hazlewood conceded one to each. Two dots, two needed. A third dot. A slashed single off Hazlewood by Verreynne into the covers to level the scores.

Starc to Verreynne. No run. Next ball, leg side. Verreynne attempts a ramp. Carey catches. The Aussies appeal. Not out, says Richard Illingworth. Replays show a spike, but Australia are out of reviews. Dot ball. Then Starc serves up a full toss and Verreynne lashes it through the covers for the most famous single in the history of South African cricket.