South Africa wins the World Test Championship
LONDON, June 14 (AP): Chokers no more.
The South Africans consigned the word to history when they ripped the World Test Championship mace from Australia's callused grip inside four days of a riveting final at Lord's.
South Africa wore a new label Saturday - champion - by claiming its first major cricket trophy in 27 years when it wrapped up a five-wicket win.
The last 69 runs required on day four were confidently knocked off by the Proteas in just over two hours, only three boundaries, with Australia typically fighting to the inevitable end.
South Africa moved from a portentous 213-2 overnight to a winning 285-5, the second highest successful run chase in the 141-year test history at the home of cricket.
Victory laid to rest the ghosts of heartbreaking losses on big ICC stages that have haunted South Africa for decades. The venues and dates are infamous in South African cricket, among them Birmingham 1999, Dhaka 2011, Auckland 2015, Kolkata 2023, and Bridgetown 2024.
But London 2025 will go down as one of the greatest days in South African sports, when its cricket underdogs grabbed the advantage and didn't let go against a red-hot Australia.
"Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, choke," Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said. 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. Also, it's a chance for South Africa to be united. We've got a cause where we can put aside our differences and enjoy. We just have to embrace it.'
The stunning result also bodes well for South Africa's preparations for its home ODI World Cup in 2027. It's a different format, but the Proteas' mindsets won't be burdened by not having won a global trophy since the Champions Trophy's precursor in 1998.
Australia didn't give up the WTC mace easily, relentlessly attacking the stumps and trying to prey on any South African butterflies. The desperate Australians used up their three reviews in vain within the first 90 minutes and fought to the end. But the serial champions lost an ICC final for only a fourth time in 14 chances.
"They were fantastic in that fourth innings,' Australia captain Pat Cummins said. "There wasn't a lot in the wicket, but they didn't give us a chance.'
The Proteas were staunch, losing only three wickets on Saturday. One of them was Aiden Markram, the colossus Australia could not topple until it was too late.
He resumed the day on 102 and was out for 136 when only six runs from victory. He spent six hours, 23 minutes in the middle. Australia didn't celebrate his wicket. Instead, players slapped Markram on the back and congratulated him on his match-winning knock as the Lord's crowd stood and applauded.
"Growing up, Lord's was the one venue I wanted to play at,' Markram said. "To do it at a final and win is something special.'
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