SA beat Australia by five wickets to win World Test Championship
SA won the World Test Championship on Saturday, completing a remarkable turnaround to beat Australia by five wickets as they successfully chased down an imposing 282-run target.
But it was an edgy finish as they took 27.4 overs to slowly score the 69 runs needed to secure success on the fourth day at Lord's after resuming at 213-2 overnight.
In so doing, they completed a successful pursuit of the joint second-highest winning fourth-innings total in Test history at the London venue.
It was a first major cricket triumph for SA, who had earned an unwanted reputation for failure when on the cusp of victory over the last decades in limited overs competitions. — Reuters
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The Citizen
3 hours ago
- The Citizen
Proteas Test victory: AB, Rassie and Rory celebrate with South Africa
In a thrilling final played at Lord's the South Africans shocked the favourites, Australia, to win their first major trophy in several years. Temba Bavuma of South Africa celebrates with the trophy after winning the Test final at Lord's on Saturday. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images Former South African great AB de Villiers, who watched all four days of the World Test Championship final at Lord's in London over the last few days, has congratulated Temba Bavuma and his Proteas team following their stunning five-wicket win on Saturday against Australia. The victory in the ICC Test final secured South Africa's senior men's team their first major trophy in 27 years. Their last major win was back in 1998 when they captured the Champions Trophy. But it wasn't only cricketers, past and present, who expressed their joy of the victory on social media, but Proteas fans from all walks of life. 'Fantastic win' De Villiers, who captained the Proteas in his day and experienced plenty of heartache in a number of World Cup events, in T20 and ODI cricket, was as happy as every other South African cricket fan on Saturday. 'Congratulations Proteas,' said De Villiers in a post on Facebook. 'Fantastic win and wo well played. Hats off to Markram for that match winning century, and Temba for leading with such ice and fire all through. 'What an incredible experience of watching this beautiful format of the game! The built up drama, the slow anticipation, and the sweet victory to end it all were moments to savour … and to experience that with my two boys thrilled and on their toes — couldn't have imagined it better than this. Go Proteas!' Markram scored an excellent second innings 136 to help guide his team to victory on Saturday and he was well supported by Bavuma who contributed 66 crucial runs in the innings. Records for Proteas The Proteas' successful chase of 282 was the joint second highest fourth innings chase at Lord's. It was also South Africa's first chase of 250-plus runs in the fourth innings since 2008. Bavuma is also now unbeaten in 10 Tests as captain, while the victory was the team's eighth straight win in the format, the second longest streak in SA history. Rassie and Co also full of praise Springbok World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus was also an excited cricket fan on Saturday, congratulating coach Shukri Conrad, who he met up with before the Test final, and the Proteas team. 'Jaaaaa man coach Shukz and Proteas! So proud, Lekka,' said Erasmus is a post on X. Jaaaaa man coach Shukz and @ProteasMenCSA ! So proud Lekka 🇿🇦🇿🇦 — Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) June 14, 2025 President Cyril Ramaphosa was also thrilled with the result, congratulating the team and captain Bavuma. He said the win was 'for the nation'. Congratulations to the Proteas the ICC Test Champions . We are proud of Captain Themba Bavuma for leading from the front. A victory for you and for the nation. #WtcFinal2025 — Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) June 14, 2025 Sports minister Gayton McKenzie said 'he couldn't contain his excitement' and posted several messages on X, congratulating the team, and he had a few special words for Bavuma, too. From dreaming in the dusty streets of Langa to holding the mace at Lord's, Temba Bavuma reminded SA today to never be told we are not tall enough, not rich enough, not talented enough. As long as we are brave enough. 9 wins later, 10 unbeaten, you have reminded us all to believe — Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) June 14, 2025 After all the decades of pain and suffering in all the knockout matches that didn't work out, today the Proteas Men have won a major ICC final, and proven SA just can't stop winning! What a moment, what a team, and what a country. Against the odds, we are the Champions! 🇿🇦🔥🔥🔥 June 14, 2025 Words of congratulations for the Proteas and Bavuma were seen across all social media platforms from all over the world late Saturday and into Sunday. Several current and former players expressed their good feelings for the South Africans, among them Dale Steyn, Matthew Hayden, Orlando Pirates, several other local football, rugby and cricket clubs, and also former SA captain Faf du Plessis, who is currently playing in a T20 competition in the USA. Wow amazing to wake up to the Proteas winning the test championship final. Well done @TembaBavuma and the team for an incredible win . So radiculous proud !!!🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦 — Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) June 14, 2025 Comedian Rory Petzer, who is popularly known as the 'minister of champions' also hailed the team in his own unique manner.
The Citizen
3 hours ago
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Aiden Markram: Proteas have ditched chokers tag
Aiden Markram hopes South Africa's World Test Championship final win over Australia has silenced any doubters. Markram's superb 136 earned him the Man of the Match prize in the showpiece at Lord's Cricket Ground in England, and will go down as one of the most important knocks in the history of South African cricket. The 30-year-old opener took his side to the brink of the winning line, falling with his side six runs shy of completing the job, as they lifted their first major ICC trophy since 1998. Markram has been part of several of the near misses – he was on the losing side as captain in last year's T20 World Cup final – which made this success all the sweeter. 'I thought a lot about the T20 World Cup last night and how helpless I felt after getting out,' he said. 'That gave me motivation to make sure I stayed at the crease. It was all about getting the job done. 'This is as big and tough as it gets. All the questions that have been asked in the past have fortunately now been answered. It would be great to not hear it [chokers] again, that's for sure. To get rid of that tag is a big thing for this team.' Read more: REPORT: Proteas crowned Test cricket kings Markram reached three figures late on the third evening but that did little to ease his nerves with 69 runs still needed heading into yesterday's play. He admitted he slept 'horribly' and 'couldn't switch off' as the adrenaline of scoring a century in a match of this magnitude began to hit home, with Markram cutting an emotional figure when he raised his bat. 'The game slowed down a bit, I had time to look around and see fans, my family, my mates in the stands, the changing room,' he said. 'I thought 'we are here now, we are getting close'. It caught me off guard. 'The hundred happened and tears leaked out, which I was trying to fight. Nothing has hit me today just yet, but something needs to hit me soon as it has been a rollercoaster.' Watch: HIGHLIGHTS: World Test Championship final (Day 3) Markram's 147-run third-wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma broke the back of the chase, which is the joint second-highest successful Test match pursuit at the Home of Cricket. Bavuma was visibly troubled by a hamstring injury but played through the pain barrier to steer his side towards their target, with Markram full of praise for his skipper. 'To see his hammy go was worrying but when we got to tea, we chatted and he said he felt he could keep going,' he said. 'He wanted to know from our side if two's becoming ones would affect me. I said no chance, it's about the partnership, getting the ball softer, and that's exactly what he did – and he still managed to run two's and threes. 'He showed a lot of adrenaline, a lot of leadership and character.' A second sleepless night was probably on the cards for Markram last night for different reasons, with the opener spotted drinking a well-earned beer handed to him by a schoolmate in the crowd as South Africa embarked on a lap of honour. But the man with the apt birthplace – Centurion – will have plenty of time to reflect on his career high point and hopes the achievements of his side inspire the next generation. 'I'm not here to chase numbers and stats, I just really want to win stuff for South Africa,' he said. 'Test cricket has always been my favourite format and the most important. 'It's really important to keep Test cricket as the No 1 in South Africa. It's more about the young guys coming through, we want their main thing to be getting a Test cap for South Africa. 'The No 1 priority should always be to play Test cricket. I've always believed that and if we get that through to the young people, we've done well.' Also read: Proteas deserved champions – Cummins The post Markram: Proteas have ditched chokers tag appeared first on SA Cricketmag.
eNCA
5 hours ago
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Cummins flags Australia shake-up after WTC defeat as Ashes loom
UK - Australia could shake up their batting after crashing to South Africa in the World Test Championship final, with captain Pat Cummins saying a "reset" was needed ahead of three Tests in the West Indies and a home Ashes series. The five-wicket defeat at Lord's on Saturday, after posting a 74-run first-innings lead, has renewed focus on Australia's top order which has struggled since opener David Warner retired 17 months ago. The elevation of out-of-form Marnus Labuschagne as Usman Khawaja's fifth opening partner since Warner bowed out did not work, while the experiment of Cameron Green at three flopped. The 38-year-old Khawaja is also under the microscope, scoring nought and six as his lean spell against pace continued. Green made four in the first innings and lasted only two balls before departing for a duck in the second as the new-look top three managed a total of 49 runs in the match. Australia's batting woes were laid bare, particularly in the second innings, when only a plucky unbeaten fifty from fast-bowler Mitchell Starc and 43 from wicketkeeper Alex Carey gave the Proteas a tough chase. "There's probably quite a few people in the line-up that wish they could have done a little bit more," Cummins told reporters. "The top three was an obvious one in this game." - Fresh start - With the 2027 WTC cycle kicking off when Australia travel to the West Indies for a three-Test series beginning in Barbados on June 25, the skipper admitted "it does feel like a little bit of a fresh start". AFP | Glyn KIRK "We've got a couple of weeks before the first Test in the Windies, so we'll sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game," he said. "But for me, I think a new WTC cycle in some ways does feel like a bit of a reset. "It's probably more for the selectors and for me to sit down and map it ahead." Compounding Australia's woes, veteran Steve Smith, who hit a majestic first innings' 66, is doubtful for the first West Indies Test after dislocating his finger. If he is ruled out, gung-ho teenager Sam Konstas, who played two Tests against India last summer before being dropped, could slot back in alongside Khawaja. That would allow Labuschagne to drop back to three, should he survive the axe after averaging just 25.63 in Tests during the 2024/25 season. There is also the option of Josh Inglis, who was in the WTC squad, as an opener. Australian media made it clear that change was needed, with The Australian newspaper calling the defeat a "wake-up call" with the five-Test Ashes series against England beginning in November. "Father Time is undefeated and selectors must now be decisive over key calls for the future," it said. Cummins acknowledged all cards were on the table with only five months to go until the first Ashes Test in Perth beginning on November 20. "Coming to this match, you've got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland and Josh Inglis, all those guys were right on the fringes," he said.
