South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test at Johannesburg, , Nov 17 2011 - Match Result

Right, that winds up our coverage of the most outrageous Test series we have seen in a while. Firdose Moonda and Brydon Coverdale must be dazed at the end of it all, but I trust they will soon be in a position to send us insights, comments and plenty of analysis. On behalf of the gang, this is Nitin Sundar checking out. I really am out of words now, and my fingers are hurting. As Vincent Vega would have said it, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go home and have a heart attack."

Clarke: "What an amazing series for all the supporters of Test cricket. Some ups and downs through out the series, but it has been really exciting. I was yelling and carrying on like an absolute goose, but we were cheering every run. It is about now managing Cummins and making sure he becomes one of the all-time greats. We are working our backsides off and trying our best, but what a performance today .. I am proud of the boys. Tremendous courage and great batting from Ponting, it is great to have him around."

"I have to give a 10 minute speech on Australia's Constitution in 12 hours, but I have barely started because of this match. I stand by my choice." Wow, Caillan.

Smith: "The last few series we have played with Australia have been good adverts for Test cricket, and it was no different this time. They played really well today. It is wonderful to see Test cricket played like this, but right now there is disappointment with the result."

Vernon Philander is Man of the Series. "There were huge expectations from me, and I enjoyed it. The conditions here had a little more overhead than Cape Town, but not very different otherwise."

Pat Cummins is Man of the Match, no surprises there. And Mike Haysman asks him about the 13 runs, not the six wickets! "Mitch asked me to keep a cool head, and I took that for swinging," he says with that unbelievable grin. "Great to bowl them out yesterday, and to contribute was even better. I was looking up to Sidds and Johnson through out for support and they bowled beautifully."

You thought Cape Town was extraordinary? Johannesburg suppressed a quiet snigger and gave us this. How does one even begin to explain what we have seen today! Australia were down for the count, with Ponting, a shade of what he used to be, trying hard to piece together an innings. He got partial redemption, but couldn't finish things. Haddin got redemption, but still SA seemed set to take the win. Mitch had his redemption too, but it was down to that giggly babyface of a champion in the making to seal the win. What. A. Game.

"Productivity at work hit an all time low because of this thrilling test!! Long live test cricket!," says Rene.

Sidvee tweets the way only he can: "What a finish! Test cricket is thriving. The series is over! Test cricket is dead." A two-Test series. What a cruel joke!

"Oh my god! Is this the most remarkable test match in history? Khawaja's first 50, Ponting, Haddin under IMMENSE pressure, then Johnson, Philander getting second 5 for in a row, and the 18 year old sensation with the winning runs after a 6 for! THAT'S why these two are the best cricketing nations," says Timmy.

"Absorbing contest...in the end, how crucial was Australia's first innings lead of 30" - that came from Grant.

"Just saw the tour schedule which reads Aus.. SA.. Aus.. SA.. Aus.. SA.. Aus.. Incredible." - that's just a given when these teams play, eh Jagadesh.

Meanwhile, India slip back to second in the Test championships table, while SA have gone down to third.

The field comes in as if this is a grand vulture party. Slip and short leg are the catchers, and there's short cover.

Round the stumps now.

Where did this come from? Imran Tahir has a ball. Boy, this is more bizarre than that spaceship landing we were taking of. Five to win, the field is back, there's a slip. Over the stumps. He did run through the tail last time around ...

They are taking for ever setting the field. Short leg is Amla, as a run-saving position almost. Two slips too.

Cummins wasn't even close to being born when the last of the two tied Tests was played ... Here we go, Steyn runs in.

Philander continues... Boy, what a Test match this is! Four seasons of the IPL couldn't provide anything like this.

Cummins walks out on debut, he's played one Test but already has a lot to tell his grandkids about his Test career. Three slips.