Finch and Co will take confidence from the fact that an Australian team that finds a way to win despite not looking at its best is at its most dangerous in a World Cup format ©Getty
Perhaps Glenn Maxwell was just playing along. It didn't look like Justin Langer, despite his martial arts pedigree, had smacked the all-rounder's arm hard enough for him to lose balance. Maxwell's slightly exaggerated reaction, sinking into his seat in the dug-out, however, added the right dose of drama to an already significant event in the match. It also amplified his coach's sense of relief and excitement in that moment.
Langer's open-handed chop on Maxwell's right bicep came right after Marcus Stoinis had smacked a full ball from Dwaine Pretorius back down the ground for a boundary off the second ball in the final over. It had meant Australia were now only 2 runs away from victory in their T20 World Cup opener. It also meant the Aussies could breathe again.
The Australian dug-out had spent most of Saturday (October 23) afternoon at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium oscillating between being anxious and looking nervous. Nobody had encapsulated it better than Langer through his facial expressions. There had been a few passing smiles, when Steve Smith and Maxwell were at the crease, and a few sheepish ones, once the experienced duo had been dismissed in the space of four deliveries. But now, Langer finally looked happy. And a couple of balls later, he sported the widest grin we've seen from him this year, as Stoinis hit another boundary to close the match out. For good measure, the first thing Langer did was to help Maxwell back to his feet as the two embraced.
In that exact moment, Australian cricket had found its smile back. Langer was just the one showcasing it. It was the first time in many months that their full-fledged team had taken the field all at once. It was the first time in many months that the Australian team had got a reason to look so pleased with themselves. And rightfully so. That they ended up stretching a run-chase, that otherwise seemed pretty straightforward, into the final over against an inspired South Africa only added to it.
On the back of all the negativity that's surrounded Australian cricket during 2021, the men's team in particular, this was a win they needed desperately. It's not often that you can keep the context of a result aside when it comes to professional sport. More so when it's a World Cup we're talking about. But perhaps we could do that on this occasion, even if only temporarily.
For, it doesn't matter if
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