South Africa wrap up historic triumph over Australia in World Test Championship final
South Africa gleefully cast aside their unwanted tag of chokers on the global cricket stage as they completed a stunning turnaround in the World Test Championship final on Saturday and sealed a five-wicket victory over Australia. It is the first major title the Proteas have won in 27 years – their only other being the 1998 Champions Trophy.
Resuming at a sun-dappled Lord's on 213 for two in their second innings and requiring just 69 runs for victory, Temba Bavuma's side comfortably got over the line on day four. However, seeking to guide his teammates to the required 282, a hobbling Bavuma, who had plugged away gamely despite sustaining a hamstring injury on Friday, departed early for 66, caught behind after edging a defensive dab off a Pat Cummins ball that was moving away from him.
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Related: South Africa v Australia: World Test Championship final cricket, day four – live
Tristan Stubbs then joined centurion Aiden Markram, who was picking his moments smartly in adding to his overnight 102. Twenty-five runs came from the opening hour of the day, the pair happy to plunder occasional singles to keep the target moving downwards. However, Mitchell Starc then bowled Stubbs, whose eight came from 43 watchful balls.
This brought David Bedingham, who had top-scored for his side with 45 on Thursday, to the crease. With the new batter on four, Australia made their task harder as they burned their final review on a desperate lbw shout off Starc's bowling. Bedingham (21) then proceeded to pick up the pace as South Africa completed the victory before lunch.
However, Markram was finally removed for 137 by a superb Travis Head catch off Josh Hazlewood with just six left to win, leaving Kyle Verreynne to knock off the winning run. Shortly before, he escaped a justified shout for caught behind after he gloved the ball from an attempted ramp shot for the glory moment.
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The Proteas' win came despite their lineup only managing 138 in their first innings of a low-scoring final. That tally had left them with a first-innings deficit of 74 runs. However the pitch, which had offered plenty of encouragement for bowlers in the opening two days, calmed dramatically on day three, opening the door for the patient South African batters to seize the initiative.
South Africa become the third side to win the tournament. New Zealand beat India to the inaugural edition in 2021, while Australia were the holders, having consigned the Indians to successive final defeats in 2023.
Ali Martin's report from Lord's will follow shortly
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