History was made... and I saw it!!

Sunday 12 March 2006. I had the priveledge of witnessing history being made!
It's the 5th match of a 5 game series, one day limited overs cricket. South Africa versus the world Champions Australia - our arch enemies. They have never lost a series in South Africa.

Now, for those of you who don't understand cricket - go look it up. For the rest of you:-

Aus batted first. Previous world record, 10 years old was 398 runs off 50 overs. These guys took it to 434! This was immediately considered as the record which would stand into eternity. Never before has such wicked batting been seen, and as many reporters stated on the wires, it would be a long, long time before it ever happened again.

So South Africa come out to bat. Now, my brain tells me that the talk in the SA change room must have gone something like this:-
"Damn, how did they get such a high score?"
"It's the bowlers to blame!"
"How are we ever going to feature in this? We don't have a hope in hell! We are really going to look like a primary school team out there now. Probably all get our arses fired after this game!"
"Ah well, we'll go out there and try to give our supporters a bit of a game. Enjoy the day.....!"

So they come out. No pressures, cause NO ONE expects a game, just a bit of a show for a few hours.

And they played. They put on a performance which I think even the Australians must concede was of heroic proportions. No matter what came their way, the Proteas (That's what we call our team) played it on, and on, and on.
By the 25th over we got to 200. Now we looked like we had a chance. Much jubilation in the crowd. And the players also seemed more intent.

We got to 300, then 350, 390, 400... Now we had the second highest score ever.
Needing something like 45 runs off 25 balls, and many wickets already down, 98.3% of South Africa was silent, praying, and yet wondering if the magic could continue....

In the last over..... Counting each ball and run..... South Africa managed to draw with 2 ball left!
Second last ball, and the ever faithful / dependable Boucher ( who happens to be out wicket keeper) knocked it for a 4!!! And there was pandemonium!!!!!!!!!! It was incredible. A record score set up only 3.5 hours earlier was banished into the history books, SA had beaten AUS in the series, in what will no doubt be described as the match of all matches.
Not in my lifetime will a similar feat ever be achieved again.
So, to the Australians who read this, well played , but sorry for you, the better team won.
To any Souf Efriken, Bliksem maar dis 'n groot babalas wat jy daar het.

Well done Proteas. The two teams made some history, and I was able to watch it being made. Thank you!

There were so many records broken yesterday, someone mentiond 23!!
However, the one record, ow held by and Australian bowler, which I am sure he is not happy to hold, is for the most runs conceded in a limited overs international, which I beleive is now 108!!!!