It's close to 7pm. I don't have the replay of the last ball of the match, but I have a suspicion that even though Lyon hit it, it was caught off the pad by silly point. We can wait for the highlights to sort it out because the scorebook says Lyon lbw Elgar. It is a great fightback by South Africa, and as Michael Clarke gracefully said, they were outplayed by the hosts in both the departments. The way Morkel drew life out of this dead pitch, I will never forget. That is the most hostile I have even seen him. I mean he even bowled a bouncer at 153ks. And then in the second innings, what a bowling change to bring Duminy on, and then that crazy angry man Steyn just ran through the rest. This is great Test cricket, and the good news is, we have a decider this time. Starts on March 1 in arguably the most beautiful city of all, at arguably the most beautiful ground of all. Do tune in. This is Sidharth Monga faring you well. Cheers . And do check in PE if it rains tomorrow. Oh Test cricket, you little beauty
Waiting for the presentation
"Our first innings was crucial," says Michael Clarke. "Credit to South Africa. They outplayed us throughout the Test. Both with ball and bat. Steyn was exceptional today, and Morkel's pace and bounce in the first. Having said that we knew this was coming our way, so we should have done better. Going to be a great third Test, no doubt. Exciting for the game."
"It's been amazing," says Graeme Smith. "A lot of emotion in the public. The key was to make it count. Key guys coming in under pressure and performing exceptionally well. Such high expectations from Dale. He is expected to take five every time. Today he got his bit between the teeth with the ball reversing. Great drama for cricket today. The crowd enjoyed it, the band made it really difficult to tell the nicks. I hear PE is getting the Boxing Day Test so that's great. I always felt we would get better in the series. The biggest challenge was we hadn't played a lot of cricket together, being away for T20. Looking for ward to Cape Town. It is going to be exciting."
"Speechless," says JP Duminy, the Man of the Match. "The way we stuck to our guns. Outstanding. The spell from Dale. It means a huge amount. Been a long time coming. Especially in Tests. Was under pressure. Team was under pressure too so getting this is very satisfying."
Still gathering breath here. What a turnaround from South Africa. Australia, no doubt, will be bitter about that extra half hour. They had three wickets in hand. Personally, I don't like this concept because I like matches to end of their own volition, but there indeed has been a precedent of an extra half hour with three wickets left. Happened at Edgbaston 2005
6.31pm That's more than one hour after the scheduled stumps, but that is time enough for South Africa to finish this on the fourth day. Not for nothing are they the best side in the world. The joy on their faces tells it all. Not for the first time were they challenged, but this one was a big challenge in the shape of a drubbing at a home Test. They needed to respond well, and how well they have responded
The crowd is still chanting songs. What a great day for them. The band, the players, they were all tuned up. Elgar took the wicket, and went flying, ABD caught him on the way down, Smith was next to them. The whole balcony was ecstatic. The moment of Smith hugging Steyn is great. Steyn, angry throughout, is finally smiling. Oh Test win. There is no better feeling
NM Lyon lbw b Elgar 0 (5m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Smith reminds Lyon of another elaborate warm-up if they don't get a wicket here. "It will be another warm-up if you don't oblige." Or something to that effect
Another critical moment. The light has faded. No quicks allowed. Three overs to go. Smith calls Elgar on
END OF OVER:73 | 2 Runs 1 Wkt | AUS: 216/9
- Peter Siddle3 (15b)
- Nathan Lyon0 (0b)
- Jean-Paul Duminy14-3-33-1
- Vernon Philander17-3-39-2
AB wants Duminy to rush through because the light is fading, but Duminy decides to go round the stumps
Nathan Lyon, who has been dismissed in an eternity, walks in. He is not on strike, though
Lovely scene. Smith rushes to Rogers to shake his hand
CJL Rogers run out 107 (332m 237b 12x4 0x6) SR: 45.14
Duminy to bowl. I am just being told it was not extra half hour, but extra eight overs. That is very optimistic. Eight overs in half an hour
END OF OVER:72 | (maiden) | AUS: 214/8
- Peter Siddle1 (10b)
- Chris Rogers107 (236b)
- Vernon Philander17-3-39-2
- Dale Steyn20-5-55-4
I'll check the forecast for tomorrow only when it is stumps today
"From previous comment: David, if the umpires feel the match can be completed on the day, they can ask for an extra half hour This is a silly rule, bat long enough thoughout the day and your bound to get wickets. Might as well cut test cricket to 3 days at 12hrs play per day. Surely the Umpires is getting cash in th pocket for this!! " With you on this one, Brydon
As the umpires check their light meter, Rogers gets attention on the head, and a new helmet. Eleven minutes for the extra half hour to end
Philander comes back
END OF OVER:71 | 5 Runs | AUS: 214/8
- Chris Rogers107 (236b)
- Peter Siddle1 (4b)
- Dale Steyn20-5-55-4
- Jean-Paul Duminy13-3-31-1
Lots of feedback about this extra half hour, and the fact that three wickets are a bit too many for the umpires to decide the game can be finished. Me, I am not a fan of this extra half hour at all. Got to hit the pub at the earliest possible