Aiden Markram and his magnificent knock of 136 helped South Africa win the ICC Test Championship mace, as they beat Australia in the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, by five wickets.
This is the nation’s first ICC silverware since the 1998 Knockout Trophy (now the Champions Trophy).
And to win it by overturning a first innings deficit of 74 is a remarkable achievement.
Pat Cummins’ outstanding figures of 6-28, bowled the Proteas out for 138, after Steve Smith’s 66 took them to a respectable first innings score of 212.
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With Australia in the driving seat, Temba Bavuma needed his bowlers to inspire them to get back in the match.
Kagiso Rabada led the way with 4- 80, alongside Lungi Ngidi’s 3-38, to bowl Australia out for 207, and set up a tricky chase of 282 to win.
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After the early loss of Ryan Rickleton, Markram and Wiaan Mulder threw a punch back at Australia, with a stand of 61.
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But Mitchell Starc gave Australia the breakthrough, with the wicket of Mulder, at 70-2.
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Bavuma and Markram, two of South Africa’s most experienced batters, stitched together a partnership of 147 to put South Africa on the brink of a historic win.
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Markram also reached his seventh Test century in 159 balls the next morning.
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Cummins and Starc gave Australia hope with the early wickets of Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs on Day 4.
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However, David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne ensured that there were no hiccups and took the Proteas over the line.
It was a remarkable comeback win for Bavuma’s men, who looked down and out after being dismissed for a below-par score in their first innings.
Reaction
The Proteas Captain lauded his team’s efforts throughout the three and a half days, and attributed the victory to the people of South Africa.
‘It’s been a special couple of days. At some point, it felt like we were back in South Africa with all the support in the stands. We’ve prepared hard for this, we’ve worked hard for this moment. We came here with a lot of belief, I think also with a lot of doubters, and we’re happy that we were able to play well enough to get that type of result. It’s been a special moment for us as a team, a special moment for all the people back home. Probably it will really sink in in a couple of days, but yeah, it’s been special.’
Bavuma: ESPN Cricinfo
Markram was the Man of the Match for his match-winning century.
“Weird how things work out if you get a duck in the first innings and you come into the second innings with quite a few concerns. Ultimately, you need a bit of luck here and there and spend some time in the middle and find some runs. I’m just really grateful it worked out nicely. Lord’s is the place every Test cricketer wants to play. Playing a final here is incredibly special with all the members there, but also plenty of South African fans that made the trip and plenty at home as well that have supported us through it. It was one of the most special days.
Markram: ESPN Cricinfo
Having won the previous WTC Final against India, the Australian Captain was quick to acknowledge that South Africa were the better side in this Final. He also expressed his love for test cricket and thinks the WTC Final at the end of a two-year cycle is a ‘spectacle’ and a great idea.
Things can change quickly, but it was a bridge too far. Few things we didn’t do right. Didn’t bat out the opposition after a decent first-innings lead. SA didn’t give us a chance in the fourth innings. There are concerns in the top-seven, guys have performed well in the last two years.
Bowlers did well in the first two days. We gave everything a chance, Lyon bowled particularly well but didn’t get a wicket. Aiden and Temba didn’t give us a chance. SA showed why they’re here and are deserved winners, they kept themselves in the game throughout. It’s the pinnancle, I love test cricket. Huge achievement to make the final, one-game shootout is a spectacle, didn’t end up on the right side but it’s been a great week.
Cummins: ESPN Cricinfo
South Africa Chokers No More
The victory over Australia makes South Africa the third nation to be crowned World Test Champions, and puts an end to the tag of being tagged as chokers.
Since their 1998 ICC Champions Trophy win, the Proteas have appeared in 12 semi-finals, including the 2024 T20 Final against India, but they have yet to secure a victory.
This is why the tag of being called chokers or nearly men was always associated with them.
But to finally put an end to that curse will be huge, as it will leave a huge mark on their cricketing legacy.
And there’s no doubt they deserve it, especially having won eight test matches in a row against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the West Indies, which takes a lot of hard work.
Fair play to Bavuma’s side for putting in the effort throughout the two years.
For more information on South Africa’s historic World Test Championship Final win, visit World In Sport.
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