South Africa's 'big call' on captain Bavuma pays off
Two hours after contemplating retiring hurt, courageous captain Temba Bavuma had jubilant South African fans singing his name.
Bavuma, the diminutive No.4, is poised to become the man to lead the Proteas to a drought-breaking world cricket title at Lord's on Saturday.
After decades of heartbreaking near-misses, often against Australia, South Africa are just 69 runs away from winning the World Test Championship final.
Bavuma (65no) is set to finish the job when he resumes with century-maker Aiden Markram (102no), with the Proteas 2-213 and reigning champions Australia desperately searching for ideas to retain their crown.
But South Africa's captain almost didn't come back out on the field for what. looks to have been the defining session in this Test.
The 35-year-old battled a hamstring injury he suffered when sprinting for a quick single, requiring medical attention before and during the tea interval.
"At tea time, we had to make a big call whether he continues to bat," South Africa assistant coach Ashwell Prince said.
"How it will affect his stroke play, how that might affect Aiden's rhythm, if twos are being turned into one and they can't run the twos or the threes.
"Aiden was adamant that the partnership is the key.
"Aiden was well aware that he'll have to curb his intensity just in terms of running between the wickets to allow Temba to ease his way through it."
South Africa's one and only senior ICC title came back in 1998 when they lifted the Champions Trophy.
The majority of the spectators, whether they be South African or neutrals, have been behind the Proteas in this enthralling Test.
As Bavuma and Markram were piling on runs against one of the best bowling attacks ever, long-suffering South African fans were chanting and dancing in the stands at the home of cricket.
"Oh, Temba Bavuma," the crowd sang.
The noise will go to even louder, more exuberant, levels if Bavuma lifts the World Test Championship mace on Saturday.
This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
Two hours after contemplating retiring hurt, courageous captain Temba Bavuma had jubilant South African fans singing his name.
Bavuma, the diminutive No.4, is poised to become the man to lead the Proteas to a drought-breaking world cricket title at Lord's on Saturday.
After decades of heartbreaking near-misses, often against Australia, South Africa are just 69 runs away from winning the World Test Championship final.
Bavuma (65no) is set to finish the job when he resumes with century-maker Aiden Markram (102no), with the Proteas 2-213 and reigning champions Australia desperately searching for ideas to retain their crown.
But South Africa's captain almost didn't come back out on the field for what. looks to have been the defining session in this Test.
The 35-year-old battled a hamstring injury he suffered when sprinting for a quick single, requiring medical attention before and during the tea interval.
"At tea time, we had to make a big call whether he continues to bat," South Africa assistant coach Ashwell Prince said.
"How it will affect his stroke play, how that might affect Aiden's rhythm, if twos are being turned into one and they can't run the twos or the threes.
"Aiden was adamant that the partnership is the key.
"Aiden was well aware that he'll have to curb his intensity just in terms of running between the wickets to allow Temba to ease his way through it."
South Africa's one and only senior ICC title came back in 1998 when they lifted the Champions Trophy.
The majority of the spectators, whether they be South African or neutrals, have been behind the Proteas in this enthralling Test.
As Bavuma and Markram were piling on runs against one of the best bowling attacks ever, long-suffering South African fans were chanting and dancing in the stands at the home of cricket.
"Oh, Temba Bavuma," the crowd sang.
The noise will go to even louder, more exuberant, levels if Bavuma lifts the World Test Championship mace on Saturday.
This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
Two hours after contemplating retiring hurt, courageous captain Temba Bavuma had jubilant South African fans singing his name.
Bavuma, the diminutive No.4, is poised to become the man to lead the Proteas to a drought-breaking world cricket title at Lord's on Saturday.
After decades of heartbreaking near-misses, often against Australia, South Africa are just 69 runs away from winning the World Test Championship final.
Bavuma (65no) is set to finish the job when he resumes with century-maker Aiden Markram (102no), with the Proteas 2-213 and reigning champions Australia desperately searching for ideas to retain their crown.
But South Africa's captain almost didn't come back out on the field for what. looks to have been the defining session in this Test.
The 35-year-old battled a hamstring injury he suffered when sprinting for a quick single, requiring medical attention before and during the tea interval.
"At tea time, we had to make a big call whether he continues to bat," South Africa assistant coach Ashwell Prince said.
"How it will affect his stroke play, how that might affect Aiden's rhythm, if twos are being turned into one and they can't run the twos or the threes.
"Aiden was adamant that the partnership is the key.
"Aiden was well aware that he'll have to curb his intensity just in terms of running between the wickets to allow Temba to ease his way through it."
South Africa's one and only senior ICC title came back in 1998 when they lifted the Champions Trophy.
The majority of the spectators, whether they be South African or neutrals, have been behind the Proteas in this enthralling Test.
As Bavuma and Markram were piling on runs against one of the best bowling attacks ever, long-suffering South African fans were chanting and dancing in the stands at the home of cricket.
"Oh, Temba Bavuma," the crowd sang.
The noise will go to even louder, more exuberant, levels if Bavuma lifts the World Test Championship mace on Saturday.
This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which is broadcasting the World Test Championship final.
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Australia eye 'reset' after shock World Test final loss
Captain Pat Cummins acknowledges Australia will undergo a "reset" after another top-order capitulation opened the door for a South African upset for the ages. Not having lost a ICC final since 2010, Australia were upstaged by Temba Bavuma's fighting Proteas at Lord's, a five-wicket defeat crushing their hopes of defending the World Test Championship title they won in 2023. Australia's batting woes were laid bare, particularly in the second innings when only plucky knocks from star quick Mitchell Starc and wicketkeeper Alex Carey saved the No.1-ranked team from utter embarrassment. Batting conditions became ideal at the start of day three when the sun came out, the pitch was suddenly flat, and pace bowlers struggled for the movement they got in the first innings. But it was too late for the Australians, who were already 8-144 to start Friday, a lead of only 212. "There's probably quite a few people in the line-up that wish they could have done a little bit more," Cummins said. "Obviously, the top three was an obvious one in this game." Promoted from No.3 to open in a Test for the first time, struggling Marnus Labuschagne got starts, but ultimately only made 17 and 22 to extend his century drought to almost 24 months. Labuschagne's opening partner, 38-year-old Usman Khawaja, was again exposed against express pace after falling to Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada for scores of 0 and 7. Khawaja made a career-best 232 on slow pitches in Sri Lanka earlier this year, but his recent history against quality fast bowlers is a concern. Cameron Green, who batted at No.3 in his first Test since March 2024 after recovering from back surgery, was also troubled by Rabada and was out for 4 and 0. Green, aged 26, was the only member of the Australian XI in his 20s in this Test. But after suffering a compound dislocation of his right little finger at Lord's, star No.4 Steve Smith is almost no chance to play in at least the first Test against the West Indies. Teenage tyro Sam Konstas, who announced himself last Boxing Day, is set to be given an opportunity as opener for Australia's first tour of the Caribbean in 10 years. If Smith can't play, Konstas could slot back in to open with Usman Khawaja, while Labuschagne would likely drop down to No.3. But Josh Inglis, who scored a century on debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year, is also in the squad and could be given a chance. "In white-ball series a lot of the time, you build on four-year cycles around World Cups for ODIs," Cummins said. "Maybe it's an opportunity in the Test matches to do something similar. But it's a little bit early to tell. "Coming into this match, you've got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland, Josh Inglis, all those guys who are right on the fringes. "After this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation, and it's a little bit of a reset for the first Test against the West Indies. "Give it a 48 hours, everyone kind of digests and works out if we keep the same squad." This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which broadcast the World Test Championship final. Captain Pat Cummins acknowledges Australia will undergo a "reset" after another top-order capitulation opened the door for a South African upset for the ages. Not having lost a ICC final since 2010, Australia were upstaged by Temba Bavuma's fighting Proteas at Lord's, a five-wicket defeat crushing their hopes of defending the World Test Championship title they won in 2023. Australia's batting woes were laid bare, particularly in the second innings when only plucky knocks from star quick Mitchell Starc and wicketkeeper Alex Carey saved the No.1-ranked team from utter embarrassment. Batting conditions became ideal at the start of day three when the sun came out, the pitch was suddenly flat, and pace bowlers struggled for the movement they got in the first innings. But it was too late for the Australians, who were already 8-144 to start Friday, a lead of only 212. "There's probably quite a few people in the line-up that wish they could have done a little bit more," Cummins said. "Obviously, the top three was an obvious one in this game." Promoted from No.3 to open in a Test for the first time, struggling Marnus Labuschagne got starts, but ultimately only made 17 and 22 to extend his century drought to almost 24 months. Labuschagne's opening partner, 38-year-old Usman Khawaja, was again exposed against express pace after falling to Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada for scores of 0 and 7. Khawaja made a career-best 232 on slow pitches in Sri Lanka earlier this year, but his recent history against quality fast bowlers is a concern. Cameron Green, who batted at No.3 in his first Test since March 2024 after recovering from back surgery, was also troubled by Rabada and was out for 4 and 0. Green, aged 26, was the only member of the Australian XI in his 20s in this Test. But after suffering a compound dislocation of his right little finger at Lord's, star No.4 Steve Smith is almost no chance to play in at least the first Test against the West Indies. Teenage tyro Sam Konstas, who announced himself last Boxing Day, is set to be given an opportunity as opener for Australia's first tour of the Caribbean in 10 years. If Smith can't play, Konstas could slot back in to open with Usman Khawaja, while Labuschagne would likely drop down to No.3. But Josh Inglis, who scored a century on debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year, is also in the squad and could be given a chance. "In white-ball series a lot of the time, you build on four-year cycles around World Cups for ODIs," Cummins said. "Maybe it's an opportunity in the Test matches to do something similar. But it's a little bit early to tell. "Coming into this match, you've got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland, Josh Inglis, all those guys who are right on the fringes. "After this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation, and it's a little bit of a reset for the first Test against the West Indies. "Give it a 48 hours, everyone kind of digests and works out if we keep the same squad." This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which broadcast the World Test Championship final. Captain Pat Cummins acknowledges Australia will undergo a "reset" after another top-order capitulation opened the door for a South African upset for the ages. Not having lost a ICC final since 2010, Australia were upstaged by Temba Bavuma's fighting Proteas at Lord's, a five-wicket defeat crushing their hopes of defending the World Test Championship title they won in 2023. Australia's batting woes were laid bare, particularly in the second innings when only plucky knocks from star quick Mitchell Starc and wicketkeeper Alex Carey saved the No.1-ranked team from utter embarrassment. Batting conditions became ideal at the start of day three when the sun came out, the pitch was suddenly flat, and pace bowlers struggled for the movement they got in the first innings. But it was too late for the Australians, who were already 8-144 to start Friday, a lead of only 212. "There's probably quite a few people in the line-up that wish they could have done a little bit more," Cummins said. "Obviously, the top three was an obvious one in this game." Promoted from No.3 to open in a Test for the first time, struggling Marnus Labuschagne got starts, but ultimately only made 17 and 22 to extend his century drought to almost 24 months. Labuschagne's opening partner, 38-year-old Usman Khawaja, was again exposed against express pace after falling to Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada for scores of 0 and 7. Khawaja made a career-best 232 on slow pitches in Sri Lanka earlier this year, but his recent history against quality fast bowlers is a concern. Cameron Green, who batted at No.3 in his first Test since March 2024 after recovering from back surgery, was also troubled by Rabada and was out for 4 and 0. Green, aged 26, was the only member of the Australian XI in his 20s in this Test. But after suffering a compound dislocation of his right little finger at Lord's, star No.4 Steve Smith is almost no chance to play in at least the first Test against the West Indies. Teenage tyro Sam Konstas, who announced himself last Boxing Day, is set to be given an opportunity as opener for Australia's first tour of the Caribbean in 10 years. If Smith can't play, Konstas could slot back in to open with Usman Khawaja, while Labuschagne would likely drop down to No.3. But Josh Inglis, who scored a century on debut against Sri Lanka earlier this year, is also in the squad and could be given a chance. "In white-ball series a lot of the time, you build on four-year cycles around World Cups for ODIs," Cummins said. "Maybe it's an opportunity in the Test matches to do something similar. But it's a little bit early to tell. "Coming into this match, you've got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland, Josh Inglis, all those guys who are right on the fringes. "After this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation, and it's a little bit of a reset for the first Test against the West Indies. "Give it a 48 hours, everyone kind of digests and works out if we keep the same squad." This AAP article was made possible by support from Amazon Prime Video, which broadcast the World Test Championship final.
ABC News
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- ABC News
World Test Championship final quick hits: SA breaks a drought, woe for Cummins, KG's choice words
South Africa celebrates a long-awaited triumph, Pat Cummins gives hope then burns reviews and Kagiso Rabada's message for the haters. Here are the quick hits from the World Test Championship final. South Africa has put together some of the best teams world cricket has seen, but never won a major ICC trophy. (No, we aren't counting the 1998 Wills International KnockOut Trophy, the earliest iteration of the Champions Trophy.) Since being reinstated to international competition in 1991, South Africa has fallen at the semifinal hurdle of the men's Cricket World Cup five times, including absolute heartbreakers in 1999 and 2015 that beggar belief. Last year they lost finals at the men's and women's T20 World Cups, and the 2023 Women's T20 tournament too. But after decades of agony, finally the Proteas are on top of the cricketing world. With South Africa only needing 69 runs to win with eight wickets in hand and their best batters at the crease to start the day, Australia was always going to need a miracle on day four at Lord's. Pat Cummins is no stranger to delivering glorious moments for Australia, including at this very London ground, and he made sure he took the ball to start day four. Opposing captain Temba Bavuma got rousing applause from the partisan crowd when he blocked the first delivery, but by the end of the third over he was gone. After a mighty 134-ball 66, most of it hampered by an injured hamstring, Bavuma was in the pavilion and Australia had a reason to believe. It had been a while since the quality of Australia's reviews had really been under the microscope. And that's a testament to the work Pat Cummins and his side have put into improving their use of the DRS system. Of course, that examination was prompted by the Headingley disaster of 2019, when Australia's burning of reviews allowed for Ben Stokes's innings of a lifetime to guide England to an unlikely victory. Today, Australia's reviews were never likely to be as consequential. And they weren't. But all three of Cummins's day four Hail Marys were dreadful. The first was a stifled LBW shout off his own bowling that was clearly sliding down leg, the second was a leg side strangulation that never was, and the third was another LBW appeal that was high and outside the line. They didn't end up costing Australia the game, but they did end up costing Starc a wicket, with umpire Richard Illingworth missing a clear Kyle Verreynne nick when scores were level. With lunch pushed back and with South Africa requiring just six more to win, it seemed fitting for the match-winning Markram to strike the final blow. A six was about the only thing missing from his exquisite, nerveless innings of 136. Hazlewood charged in, dropped one on a good length and Markram shovelled it to the on-side. Travis Head saw it coming, dived, and the ball disappeared underneath him. As if in slow motion, he rose without a tell until he held his index finger out in front of him. Markram was out and he was livid. He wanted to be there at the end, but it didn't matter — he had just played the most important innings even seen in the World Test Championship. Since the tournament's inception in 2019, questions have surrounded the structure of the World Test Championship. In a two year cycle, teams are unable to play series against all 12 Test-playing nations. Because of this, "easier" and "harder" routes to the final are bound to emerge. Although South Africa was the first team to qualify for the 2025 decider, some had questioned its spot in it due to the Proteas' supposedly kinder run of fixtures. During the 2023-25 cycle, the South Africans played just one of Test cricket's "big three" and their series triumphs came against traditionally weaker sides. Speaking after his side had won it all, premier pacer Kagiso Rabada had some choice words for those who had criticised his side's appearance at the big dance. "People were saying we weren't playing good enough opposition but I think that's rubbish," Rabada told Prime Video. "We came here and we played the best team. "Australia were magnificent all season and we had to be on our A game to beat them."
ABC News
an hour ago
- ABC News
Temba Bavuma's team erases South Africa's history of cricket disappointment
As South Africa's batters ate into the victory target at Lord's, a party atmosphere gripped the usually staid Home of Cricket. Graeme Smith made his way to the boundary to join the celebrations as an interviewer and former teammate. Shaun Pollock stood up in the commentary box. AB de Villiers, ever the outlier, sat in the stands riding every moment with his mates and kids. On the field, a new generation not littered with legends of the sport was doing what those giants of the game couldn't. After decades of pain in major tournaments, finally the Proteas had their hands on a major international cricket trophy, having brushed aside Australia with relative ease in the end. Lord's was made to sound like The Wanderers as South Africa zeroed in on a target that felt lofty at lunch on day three but was elementary at the start of day four. The loss of captain Temba Bavuma in the third over of the day may have prompted bouts of hyperhidrosis for some in the stands, but seemingly not for those out in the middle. It wasn't that they were any less aware of South Africa's miserable history in the pointy end of major tournaments, they just refused to be weighed down by it no matter how much the Aussies tried to remind them. "While we were batting we heard the Aussies use those dreaded words: chokers," Bavuma told BBC Test Match Special. If they'd lost eight wickets for less than 68 runs on what turned out to be the final day of the match, it might have gone down as the greatest choke of them all. Instead, Aiden Markram simply carried on his merry way, taking the team within six runs of victory before falling not due to some overwhelming timidity but by a desire to belt the ball into the stands to finish with a bang. Kyle Verreynne should have been out caught behind with the scores tied, but the Aussies were the ones panicking on that sunny Saturday afternoon and had burned through all three of their decision reviews to be left smiling wryly as the replays revealed hey would have got this one right. Two balls later Verreynne clattered Starc through the covers and the celebrations could truly begin. "You see the elation of past greats … it's not [just] for us, it's also for them," Bavuma said. "We've been etched in history. We've been part of something that's never been done." But it wasn't just the demons of Allan Donald's brain melt in the 1999 World Cup semifinal, or snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the corresponding game in 2015. The nation went one better at the past three T20 World Cups, but the women's team finished runners-up in 2023 and 2024, as did the men's team led by Markram last year. And in the men's Test scene, South Africa's presence in the Lord's final was seen not as a recognition of their consistency (now with eight wins on the trot) but as a flaw in the system as a whole. In the two-year cycle, the Proteas split two Tests against India at home and beat the West Indies in the Caribbean, won 2-0 in Bangladesh, then followed suit with two-Test sweeps at home against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. The only series the team has lost since travelling to Australia in 2022-23 was an 0-2 result in New Zealand that saw the team fairly derided for holding its frontline players out so they could play in the domestic T20 tournament. (This year they hooked their stars from the IPL early to focus on this Test, while Cricket Australia left it up to individual players.) By comparison, Australia travelled to England to draw the Ashes, hosted Pakistan (3-0) and the West Indies (1-1) in the 23/24 summer, won 2-0 in New Zealand last year, beat India 3-1 in a five-game series, and won 2-0 in Sri Lanka. "It's been a tough campaign for us, as much as a lot of people questioned us. I hope our performance gives credence to us being here," Bavuma said. If nothing else it shows South Africa takes the Test game seriously. They aren't among the powerbrokers of world cricket and don't have the ability to host money-spinning five-Test series against England or India like Australia can. They can only play who is willing to play them and taking on smaller nations is something Cricket Australia appears less inclined towards, but it helps keep the five-day game alive. Australia has played Bangladesh only three times since it became a Test nation in 2000 (and not once since 2017) compared to South Africa's eight. And the Southern Cross Trophy hasn't gone on the line in more than 20 years — such a long time that you probably had no idea that would be against Zimbabwe. South Africa is doing what it can with the opportunities it has, and the players carry an even greater responsibility than most. The nation was banned by the ICC from 1970 until 1991 due to the state's apartheid regime and, as silly as it may seem to some, athletes carry a weight in bringing even the most divided countries together even if just for a brief moment. Siya Kolisi's Springboks shone under that burden and privilege at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, and the Proteas felt a similar pride at Lord's. Keshav Maharaj was in tears as he spoke about the "unity" he had witnessed over the past few days and throughout the season, saying: "It's just what our country is about." Langa man Bavuma became the first black specialist batter selected for South Africa's Test team when he was named in 2014, and now the diminutive 35-year-old is the country's first captain to experience cricketing glory. "It's a chance for South Africa to be united," he said. "We've got a cause where we can put aside out differences and enjoy. We just have to embrace it. "We can live in this joyful moment as a nation."
