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Proteas can't be called ‘chokers' anymore, says Aiden Markram
Proteas can't be called ‘chokers' anymore, says Aiden Markram

The Citizen

time2 hours ago

  • Sport
  • The Citizen

Proteas can't be called ‘chokers' anymore, says Aiden Markram

The SA team won their first major trophy since 1998. Members of the Proteas team celebrating a wicket during the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images The Proteas were relieved to shake off the 'chokers' tag that had followed the national squad for decades, according to opening batter Aiden Markram, after winning a major global title for the first time in 27 years. Markram hit a century in South Africa's second innings, guiding them to a five-wicket victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final in London on Saturday. While they had reached multiple World Cup playoffs in recent years, in shorter formats, the Proteas had not secured a title since winning the Champions Trophy tournament in 1998. And having played a key role in their success, Markram was delighted that they were finally able to end one of the lengthiest droughts in South African sport. 'It will be great to not have to hear it (the word 'chokers') again, that's for sure… so to have got the job done and to get rid of that is quite a big thing for this team,' said Markram, who joined the Lord's honours board with his eighth Test century. Aiden Markram plays a shot for the Proteas during the World Test Championship final. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images Proteas prove themselves in 'toughest' format Though it was their eight straight Test victory, the Proteas had been criticised for playing fewer games against weaker opposition, with some of the other sides facing more challenging routes to the final. Having defeated Australia with nearly two days to spare, however, Markram felt the SA team had proved their class in the toughest format of the game. He credited his teammates for their efforts, with captain Temba Bavuma hitting a crucial half-century in their second innings and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada taking nine wickets in the match. 'All the questions that have been asked in the past have fortunately now been answered,' Markram said. 'The Test [world title] was always going to be, in my opinion, the toughest one. It's many days of playing good cricket, whereas in T20 or even one-day cricket nowadays, you just need one person to really put their hand up on the day and you can get a win. 'So it was always going to be the toughest, it was always going to be a full team effort to get over the line, and the guys chipped in exactly when they needed to.'

Proteas stay in the hunt against Australia in Test final
Proteas stay in the hunt against Australia in Test final

The Citizen

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • The Citizen

Proteas stay in the hunt against Australia in Test final

At the close of play on day two, Australia had reached 144/8 in their second innings, holding a 218-run lead Proteas players celebrate a wicket during day two of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. Picture: Paul Harding/Gallo Images South Africa are still in the hunt after a thrilling second day of the World Test Championship final against Australia in London yesterday. They have a lot of work to do today to secure the trophy, but the Proteas will be buoyed by their impressive performance with the ball thus far, as their batters prepare for the hard-fought effort that will be required to lift the trophy. With 14 wickets having fallen on day one, another 14 tumbled on day two in a low-scoring clash, as the bowlers from both sides remained locked in battle. At the close of play, Australia had reached 144/8 in their second innings, holding a 218-run lead with three days remaining. Taking a 74-run lead into their second innings, Australia were torn apart, with only middle-order batter Alex Carey able to put up a fight, hitting a relatively quick 43 runs off 50 balls. Pace bowler Kagiso Rabada had taken 3/44, after grabbing five wickets in Australia's first innings, and he was well supported by seamer Lungi Ngidi (3/35). Proteas first innings Earlier, after resuming their first innings at 43/4, still trailing by 169 runs, the Proteas line-up fell apart and were ultimately dismantled for just 138. Middle-order batter David Bedhingham (45 off 111 runs) and captain Temba Bavuma (36 off 84) tried to turn things around, sharing 64 runs for the fifth wicket. However, Bavuma was removed by fast bowler Pat Cummins in the morning session and the Proteas lower order collapsed. They lost their last five wickets for just 12 runs within the space of six overs, with Cummins (6/28) ripping through South Africa's tail as he surpassed the 300-wicket milestone in Test cricket.

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