South Africa finally have their hands on a major cricket trophy again—and what a way to do it. The Proteas stunned defending champions Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, chasing down the last 69 runs needed on Day 4 to seal a five-wicket win and end a 27-year drought.
Starting the day at 213/2, South Africa needed a calm, clinical finish. With captain Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 66 and Aiden Markram already into triple figures, the job seemed within reach. But Pat Cummins gave Australia a glimmer of hope early on, removing Bavuma for 66 just three overs into the session. Suddenly, the Proteas were 217/3, still needing 65.
Tristan Stubbs came in and Markram kept things ticking along with a couple of crisp boundaries. The duo played it safe, rotating strike smartly and not taking any risks. But after the drinks break, Mitchell Starc broke through, cleaning up Stubbs for just 8. Australia sniffed a chance with South Africa at 241/4, still 41 runs away from glory.
David Bedingham joined Markram at the crease, and the pair calmly worked their way closer. A sweet on-drive from Bedingham brought the equation below 20, and a punch through mid-wicket from Markram made it just 10 runs needed. But just as it looked like Markram would be there at the end, his brilliant knock was cut short on 136 from 207 balls. Travis Head took a sharp catch to give Australia one last flicker of hope with South Africa five down and six runs to go. In came Kyle Verreynne, who coolly finished the job. A boundary and a couple of singles later, South Africa had done it—they were World Test Champions.
“This means everything,” said a visibly emotional Keshav Maharaj after the game. “We’ve come a long way as a team, as a country. We always say we want to be good people and play good. We’re moving in the right direction as a cricketing nation.”
This is South Africa’s first global title since the ICC KnockOut Trophy in 1998. And in between, there’s been a painful list of heartbreaks—Birmingham 1999, Dhaka 2011, Auckland 2015, Kolkata 2023, Bridgetown 2024. But now, they finally have a day to remember: London, 2025.
As for Australia, the loss brings an end to a remarkable run under Pat Cummins. The Aussie skipper had overseen a golden era, including an Ashes retention, a WTC title, and a 50-over World Cup triumph. But South Africa were simply the better team this time.
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