South Africa’s World Cup agony was no choke, with hope for future glory

There is every reason to believe South Africa’s current crop can end their cycle of pain after their near miss against India. Photograph: Philip Brown/Getty Images

What was on Keshav Maharaj’s mind as Jasprit Bumrah ran in to deliver the final ball of the 18th over in South Africa’s run chase on Saturday? Was he thinking about Allan Donald’s dropped bat in 1999, or the rain in Durban in 2003, or Grant Elliott’s game-winning knock in 2015? Did any of the Proteas’ near-misses and howlers at World Cups enter the South Africa spinner’s consciousness?

I doubt it. I bet that if you asked Maharaj what his name was just as the best all-format bowler on the planet began his staccato run-up, he’d have struggled to give you an answer. I bet that behind his wide startled eyes his one and only thought would have zeroed in on survival.