This final has been called “The Ultimate Test” and though almost certainly the product of a W1A-style ideas splurge back in Dubai, the tagline scarcely felt more appropriate watching wickets tumble for a second day in succession.
It had appeared for all money that Pat Cummins had sealed the fate of the World Test Championship mace after lunch. Thundering in from the Nursery End, a four-wicket burst meant he finished with figures of six for 28 and South Africa were all out for 138 in 57.1 overs – 74 behind – all it needed was a further top-up of runs.
