Bharath Kumar

South Africa can be called chokers no longer, after burying the ghosts of 1999 with victory in a match even more extraordinary and nail-shredding than its illustrious forebear. Australia had just posted a world-record 434 for 4 in a single innings - the first 400-plus total in the history of the game . And yet they still lost - by one wicket, with one ball to spare. The home side’s victory sparked wild celebrations on and off the Wanderers pitch.

South Africa 438 for 9 in 49.5 overs (Gibbs 175, Smith 90, Boucher 50*) beat Australia 434 for 4 (Ponting 164, Hussey 81, Katich 79) by one wicket to win the greatest one-day international in the history of the game. How often do you see something like this.

Before today, no side had scored more than 400 in a one-day international and South Africa’s total topped Australia’s record 434 for four earlier in the day. Two players, Australian captain Ricky Ponting (164) and South African Herschelle Gibbs (175), scored over 150 in the fifth one-dayer.

A total of 872 runs were scored. The previous record was 693 when India beat Pakistan by five runs in Karachi in March 2004. The previous innings record was the 398 for five Sri Lanka scored against Kenya in Kandy in 1995-96.

Mick Lewis’ return of nought for 113 was the most expensive bowling analysis in 50-over one-day internationals. The previous record was the 0-99 Muttiah Muralitharan conceded for Sri Lanka against Australia in Sydney in February.

It all came down to the final over, with Brett Lee had seven runs to defend, and South Africa had two wickets in hand. A blazed four from Andrew Hall seemed to have settled the issue, but in a moment reminiscent of Lance Klusener, he smeared the very next delivery into the hands of Clarke at mid-on. Two runs needed then, and the No. 11, Makhaya Ntini, on strike. Lee’s best effort was deflected to third man to tie the scores, and it was left to Boucher - with visions of Edgbaston swirling through his head - to seal the deal with a lofted four over mid-on. The most breathtaking game in one-day history had come to a grandstand finish, and all that remained was for the participants to pinch themselves.