Australians accused of sledge as South Africa claim historic World Test Championship

Daily Mail​

12 hours ago

Triumphant South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma has disclosed that an Aussie player used the infamous 'chokers' tag during the World Test Championship final.
Labelled as 'chokers' following years of blowing sudden-death ICC matches, the Proteas upstaged the defending champs Australia by winning a gripping WTC final at Lord's by five wickets to lift their first senior world trophy in the men's game.
Saturday's victory was only South Africa's second ICC title in all, coming 27 years after they won the Champions Trophy back in 1998.
Bavuma, the first Black South African Test captain, revealed that the Aussies reminded his side of their reputation.
'The tag of us being chokers, that came about this morning,' Bavuma said.
'One of their players threw out the fact we could still get bowled out ... I definitely heard that.'
During a separate interview, Bavuma mentioned it again: 'Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, "choke".
'It's been years since we've overcome a final, we've been etched in history, we're part of something that has never been done. It's special in a lot of ways.'
Opener Aiden Markram wrote himself into South African cricket folklore with a classic 136, helped by a gritty captain's knock from hobbling hero Bavuma (66).
South Africa wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs just before lunch on day four to complete the chase of 282, sparking emotional celebrations at the home of cricket.
Going to stumps on Friday night in pole position at 2-213, this largely unheralded South Africa team ticked off the 69 runs required the next morning to create history that legends such as Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and AB de Villiers never could.
Bavuma has looked up to the all-conquering Springboks' rugby team as an example for what sport can achieve in the divided country.
'The biggest thing I admire about the Springboks is how they've kind of gone about it and embraced what being South African actually means,' Bavuma said.
'South Africa, we are unique in a lot of ways; our present and future is shaped by our past.
It was Australia's first loss in a world final since England beat them to claim the 2010 T20 title
'For the country this is a chance for us to rejoice in something, forget about our issues and really come together.
'For this group of players, there were a lot of doubters as to the route that we took to to get to this point.
'I do think the the way that we played would have wiped all of that out.'
The turnaround for the Proteas has been remarkable.
This defining moment comes less than 18 months after they sent a heavily depleted squad to New Zealand so their stars could stay home and play in the country's T20 league instead.
South Africa were predictably thrashed 2-0 by the Black Caps, but then went on to complete eight wins in a row to claim an unexpected Test title.
Despite their historic triumph, the Proteas aren't scheduled to play any Tests at home this upcoming summer
It was Australia's first loss in a world final since England beat them to claim the 2010 T20 title.
Since then, Australia have won two ODI World Cups (2015, 2023), a T20 trophy (2021), and the 2023 WTC decider against India at The Oval.
Their record in global finals goes to 8-4, dating back to the first ODI World Cup back in 1975.
Australia have been the cause of much of South Africa's pain, beating them in ODI World Cup semi-finals in 1999, 2007 and 2023.
'You work so hard to get to the final and to miss that opportunity, it's disappointing,' Australia captain Pat Cummins said
'Everyone was pretty pumped to be here, to make the final, and when you miss a huge opportunity by a little bit that leaves you a little bit empty.'
South Africa's run chase was the second-highest successful pursuit in the fourth-innings in a Lord's Test, equal with England's 282 against New Zealand back in 2004.
In a final that exceeded the hype, South Africa boldly took it up to the Australians from the moment Bavuma decided to bowl first after winning the toss.
Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) carried Australia on the first day, rolled for 212 after Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada fired with 5-51 in his first Test since receiving a one-man ban for testing positive to cocaine.
But Australia's pace artillery struck back in typical fashion, running through the Proteas for only 138 thanks to Pat Cummins' 6-28.
During one of his greatest spells, the star quick became the eighth Australian take 300 Test wickets, joining teammates Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc.
But the first-innings lead of 74 quickly seemed like nowhere near enough when Australia suffered a collapse of 5-29 in just 45 minutes late on day two.
Starc (58no) and Alex Carey (43) steered them out of dire trouble, but batting became significantly easier at the start of day three to give South Africa the confidence they could complete the chase.