NO need for the bodybag, there was some life in the England team after all.
Australia was thwarted from becoming the first team to win a one-day series 7-0 after Graeme Swann spun England to victory at The Riverside Ground overnight.
Rolled for just 176, Australia almost managed a huge upset by clearing England's middle-order but the hosts held their nerve to win with four wickets in hand.
Swann took 5-28 in a career-best performance, although Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said it was of no concern leading into the Champions Trophy that his side had again buckled to spin.
"We've played the spinners really well in this series," said Ponting, who top-scored with 53. "[Swann's] had one good result today but we played [Adil] Rashid really well in the games he's played and we played Swann really well in the first couple of games.
"I wouldn't expect the wickets in Johannesburg and Pretoria would spin as much as this one did today. Even if they do, we've got a number of players who have played well and performed well in spinning conditions.
"We play a lot of our one-day cricket in sub-continental type conditions. Most one-day wickets are pretty dry and offer a little bit for the spinners anyway. I wouldn't read too much into today."
Swann captured the key wicket of top-scorer Ricky Ponting (53), and then dismissed Cameron White (1), James Hopes (11), Mitchell Johnson (10) and Brett Lee (0) to leave the hosts reeling.
Michael Clarke (38 from 81) and Ponting put on a 79-run stand after the early loss of openers Shane Watson and Tim Paine, however the captain's dismissal sparked a flood of wickets.
Michael Hussey (49) attempted to steer the side out of trouble but lost too many partners and was finally dismissed himself, bringing Australia's innings to an end in the 46th over.
After a thumping start to the chase by skip Andrew Strauss (47) and Joe Denly (53) got England to 0-106, England hearts began to flutter when they lost 6-56 before a Ben Hilfenhaus no-ball brought about an anti-climactic end to the match.
The sigh of relief from Strauss would have cooled the Masai in Kenya.
"I didn't allow myself to think the unthinkable, I just thought surely it couldn't happen," Strauss said.
"It's good to get over the line, when you lose six in a row confidence is obviously down, so it still takes quite a lot of character for guys to get back up and fight.
"It is a bit of a relief if I'm honest, we're not going to get carried away with it we still lost the series 6-1.
"Swanny produced a fantastic spell of spin bowling, really mixing it up and giving it a rip.
"To bowl them out for 176, you back yourself to chase that every time, but we still made heavier weather of it than we should have done. But it's a win, and something to move forward with."
Swann also felt Australia wouldnt worry too much about spin in South Africa, despite drawing India and Pakistan in their group.
"It was my day today but throughout the series as a unit they've batted very effectively against all types of bowling," Swann said.
"It was nice to get wickets today, but I'm sure if there are alarm bells they won't be hugely loud ones because after all they won 6-1."
Ponting was pleased with the efforts of his side to bounce back from the Ashes defeat, and said his side is ready to defend the trophy, starting with a match against the West Indies on Saturday.
"For Cameron White to win the man of the series is a terrific effort for a young player," Ponting said.
"I think Tim Paine has been terrific for us as well. All in all we can go to South Africa really happy with what we achieved here and with a bit of confidence behind us."
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