As a constipated South Africa eked out 54 excruciating runs in 28 overs against England during an overcast morning at Lord's in June, West Indian fast bowler Michael Holding shrugged: "I look at cricket like life. You're going to have some fantastic days, and some dull days."
The runs were few, but it was anything but dull. Those 28 overs at the home of cricket in north London were an iconoclastic turning point for the Proteas. They were staring down the barrel: contrary to all expectations, England had gorged on an SA pace attack led by a wild Dale Steyn and an erratic Morné Morkel to score 593/8 declared; Graeme Smith's team had then collapsed to 247 all out. With more than two days to go and 346 needed to just make England bat again, the Proteas were facing a situation that would have splintered their resolve in the past.
But this time, something was different. Smith and Neil McKenzie girded themselves. They proceeded after lunch to put on 204 runs for the first wicket, until Smith fell for 107. McKenzie prodded to 138 in more than nine hours. The match was saved. Sure, it was like watching the 100 m sprint take place through molasses, but it was the defining moment for Smith's team: whereas in the past they would have shattered under the pressure, this time they prevailed.
It is now legend that the Proteas won the test series - the first time since 1965 that SA have done this - mainly due to Smith's John Wayne-like grit in scoring 154 not out to take SA to victory at Headingley.
It was enough to make you think that this time things will be different. And for the third time in a row, heading to Australia in December, the Proteas have reason to believe they can come home victorious, rather than having to sneak back into SA from Sydney through the tradesmen's entrance.
But then, they've thought that before. In 1998, a team led by Hansie Cronje and including the fresh-faced 22-year-old Jacques Kallis and 23-year-old Herschelle Gibbs thought they had what it took, but lost 1-0 in Australia. In 2001, Shaun Pollock led a post-matchfixing team against Australia and was trounced 5-1. It was embarrassing: many will remember Adam Gilchrist toying with the bowling, trying to hit the Wanderers scoreboard to win a car, when scoring the fastest test double century ever, 204.
In 2005, people pointed to a "weak side", premised on Steve Waugh's retirement. But despite cameos of fortitude (Makhaya Ntini's 5/64 at Perth, Ashwell Prince's 119 at Sydney and Kallis's two centuries), they took a 5-0 hammering.
So, it is with some trepidation that the pundits are whispering: "2009 could be our year."
In November, India, coached by Gary Kirsten, had just walloped Australia 2-0. With no Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath or Adam Gilchrist, Australia look frail. It's almost too much to hope that the Proteas can hold it together: like expecting the perpetual wife-beater to come home from a rousing night at the pub, and crack open a good book, rather than hassle the inhabitants.
But Smith's form in England, the emergence of Hashim Amla (275 runs in England at an average of 45), and a new menacing fast bowling line-up make you believe it's all different. Since SA last toured Australia, Steyn has taken 128 wickets at an average of 22,8. And with a wicked late away-swinger, Steyn is no trundling hack who gets his wickets through half-volleys clipped to the right fielder. Twenty-four-year-old Morkel is the spiritual descendant of undisciplined but lethal bowlers like England's Devon Malcolm. It's easy to forget Morkel has played only 10 tests, so his 32 wickets taken at 32,8 is a reflection of youth, not a genuine barometer of ability. Kallis is unlikely to repeat his woes of England, where he averaged only 14,8. And no disrespect to Gibbs, but McKenzie's nine-hour century at Lord's shows that he can knuckle down for a scrap, rather than make a dashing 24 before hitting the dressing room bar.
What more preparation do you need? All the selectors need to do now is make a call to Barack Obama - who could surely be something of an elegant opening batsman, if he put his mind to it - to fire up the team's belief: "Yes, we can bat and bowl. And we're not altogether too tubby to field."
