Latest news with #chokers
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Australians accused of sledge as South Africa claim historic World Test Championship
Triumphant South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma has disclosed that an Aussie player used the infamous 'chokers' tag during the World Test Championship final. Labelled as 'chokers' following years of blowing sudden-death ICC matches, the Proteas upstaged the defending champs Australia by winning a gripping WTC final at Lord's by five wickets to lift their first senior world trophy in the men's game. Saturday's victory was only South Africa's second ICC title in all, coming 27 years after they won the Champions Trophy back in 1998. Bavuma, the first Black South African Test captain, revealed that the Aussies reminded his side of their reputation. 'The tag of us being chokers, that came about this morning,' Bavuma said. 'One of their players threw out the fact we could still get bowled out ... I definitely heard that.' During a separate interview, Bavuma mentioned it again: 'Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, "choke". '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.' Opener Aiden Markram wrote himself into South African cricket folklore with a classic 136, helped by a gritty captain's knock from hobbling hero Bavuma (66). South Africa wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs just before lunch on day four to complete the chase of 282, sparking emotional celebrations at the home of cricket. Going to stumps on Friday night in pole position at 2-213, this largely unheralded South Africa team ticked off the 69 runs required the next morning to create history that legends such as Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock and AB de Villiers never could. Bavuma has looked up to the all-conquering Springboks' rugby team as an example for what sport can achieve in the divided country. 'The biggest thing I admire about the Springboks is how they've kind of gone about it and embraced what being South African actually means,' Bavuma said. 'South Africa, we are unique in a lot of ways; our present and future is shaped by our past. It was Australia's first loss in a world final since England beat them to claim the 2010 T20 title 'For the country this is a chance for us to rejoice in something, forget about our issues and really come together. 'For this group of players, there were a lot of doubters as to the route that we took to to get to this point. 'I do think the the way that we played would have wiped all of that out.' The turnaround for the Proteas has been remarkable. This defining moment comes less than 18 months after they sent a heavily depleted squad to New Zealand so their stars could stay home and play in the country's T20 league instead. South Africa were predictably thrashed 2-0 by the Black Caps, but then went on to complete eight wins in a row to claim an unexpected Test title. Despite their historic triumph, the Proteas aren't scheduled to play any Tests at home this upcoming summer It was Australia's first loss in a world final since England beat them to claim the 2010 T20 title. Since then, Australia have won two ODI World Cups (2015, 2023), a T20 trophy (2021), and the 2023 WTC decider against India at The Oval. Their record in global finals goes to 8-4, dating back to the first ODI World Cup back in 1975. Australia have been the cause of much of South Africa's pain, beating them in ODI World Cup semi-finals in 1999, 2007 and 2023. 'You work so hard to get to the final and to miss that opportunity, it's disappointing,' Australia captain Pat Cummins said 'Everyone was pretty pumped to be here, to make the final, and when you miss a huge opportunity by a little bit that leaves you a little bit empty.' South Africa's run chase was the second-highest successful pursuit in the fourth-innings in a Lord's Test, equal with England's 282 against New Zealand back in 2004. In a final that exceeded the hype, South Africa boldly took it up to the Australians from the moment Bavuma decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) carried Australia on the first day, rolled for 212 after Proteas spearhead Kagiso Rabada fired with 5-51 in his first Test since receiving a one-man ban for testing positive to cocaine. But Australia's pace artillery struck back in typical fashion, running through the Proteas for only 138 thanks to Pat Cummins' 6-28. During one of his greatest spells, the star quick became the eighth Australian take 300 Test wickets, joining teammates Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Starc. But the first-innings lead of 74 quickly seemed like nowhere near enough when Australia suffered a collapse of 5-29 in just 45 minutes late on day two. Starc (58no) and Alex Carey (43) steered them out of dire trouble, but batting became significantly easier at the start of day three to give South Africa the confidence they could complete the chase.
News.com.au
a day ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘Dreaded' sledge revealed as Australia burned in World Test Championship final
South African captain Temba Bavuma has revealed one of Australia's players tried getting in his head with the dreaded 'chokers' tag on day four of the World Test Championship final at Lord's. The Proteas defeated reigning champions Australia by five wickets at the home of cricket courtesy of a career-defining century from opener Aiden Markram, ending a 27-year trophy drought for the rainbow nation. The South Africans have become renowned as perennial chokers in ICC events, losing nine semi-finals in nine attempts across World Cups and Champions Trophy tournaments since 1999. Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference on Sunday, Bavuma confirmed one of Australia's players reminded him of South Africa's record in ICC knockouts, prefacing there 'wasn't a lot of chatter' out on the field. 'The tag of us being chokers, that came about this morning,' Bavuma recalled. 'One of their players threw out the fact we could still get bowled out ... I definitely heard that.' In another interview, Bavuma added: 'Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, 'choke'. '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.' Asked about the chokers sledge, Markram responded: 'It will be great to not have to hear it again, that's for sure.' The Proteas had plenty of demons to conquer on Day 3 with the memory of choking yet again still fresh from last year's loss to India in the T20 World Cup. South Africa's women's side also fell short in the final of both the 2023 and 2024 T20 World Cups to add to the heartbreak. 'It's not just that they've never won one,' Mel Jones said during the first session on Prime Video. 'They've been in so many commanding positions, year after year, in such a wide range of events, from the Champions Trophy to the 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup. 'Apologies to the South Africans listening, I don't want to take you down a horrendous trail, but I think this is why so many have come today, it's history in the making. 'I reckon there's even some Aussies there going 'we wouldn't mind'.' We're not so sure about that one, Mel, Aussie cricket fans are greedy and pretty accustomed to success. But this South African team under coach Shukri Conrad and diminutive, combative skipper Bavuma, finally has its crowning moment. Pat Cummins' team came into the match as heavy favourites, but serious question marks will now be asked about his ageing side as the Proteas eagerly snatched the WTC Mace from the defending champions. Resuming on 2/213 in their second innings on Saturday, needing just 69 runs to win, South Africa lost skipper Temba Bavuma (66) early in the day but still had few troubles chasing down the 282-run total in a momentous win for the perennial bridesmaids. Opener Aiden Markram's (136) match-winning knock ended with just six runs required, but South Africa still marched to the biggest title in their long cricketing history. Australia's Steve Smith, sidelined by a gruesome finger injury for the final day, is still in imperious form at the age of 36. But the heavy defeat means fellow veterans Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja will now be under even more scrutiny, with the likes of Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis waiting in the wings. Cummins said his side had been faced with a 'bridge too far' after failing to capitalise on its first innings lead. 'Things can change pretty quickly,' said Cummins at the post-match presentation ceremony. 'Unfortunately, it was a bridge too far.' Smith's first-innings 66 was the only score of fifty or more in the match by a specialist Australia batsman. Smith, however, suffered a dislocated finger while dropping a slip catch and is now doubtful for the first Test against the West Indies in Barbados on June 25. Australia, now at the start of a new WTC cycle, may have to review their batting options more broadly, with Marnus Labuschagne who averaged a lowly 25.63 in Tests during the 2024/25 season, out for 17 and 22 at Lord's after being promoted to open the innings. '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,' said Cummins. 'To make these finals, it's normally off the back of being really strong at home, but you've got to win some away series too,' he later told reporters at a post-match press conference. 'So, in some ways, it's good we get to dust ourselves off and turn around in a couple of weeks and start looking ahead to the next one. 'That's one of the good things about the World Test Championship, every Test series and every Test match feels like you're playing for something significant.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Chokers? This win squashes that': Bavuma hopes WTC victory can unite South Africa
After generations of disappointment and heartbreak South Africa shrugged off the tag that has long haunted them with victory in the World Test Championship here. For years they have been smeared as chokers, but no more. 'While we were batting we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word: choke,' said Temba Bavuma, the South Africa captain. 'We came in with a lot of belief and a lot of doubters. We got ourselves into the final, there were doubters as to the route we took. This win squashes that. Here's an opportunity for us as a nation, divided as we are, to unite.' Advertisement Related: Markram steers South Africa to historic World Test Championship final triumph Aiden Markram, who scored a match-changing 136 before falling six runs from victory, said the result had redefined South Africa's Test team. 'It'll be great to not have to hear that again,' he said of being labelled chokers. 'To have got the job done and to get rid of that is quite a big thing for this team. All the questions that have been asked in the past have now been answered.' Bavuma, who scored 66 in the second innings, much of it while struggling with a hamstring injury, said he hoped the triumph would unify his nation. 'The word that comes to mind is special: special for this group, special for myself and special for the country,. 'As a country, it's a chance for us to rejoice in something, to forget about our issues and really come together. I hope it inspires and continues to inspire our country. For this group of players, there were a lot of doubters but the way we played would have wiped all of that out. Advertisement 'The experiences I've had in the last couple of years, it hasn't been easy. It's not easy being captain of South Africa and all the sacrifices, all the disappointment, it feels worth it. When you're going through it, giving up is always an option but something kind of wills you on. For me, it was that moment there. To be recognised as more than just a Black African cricketer, but to be seen as someone who's done something the country has wanted.' While there was tears of joy from some of the winning team during their celebrations Markram's had come the previous evening, when with victory starting to seem not just achievable but inevitable, he sealed his century. 'I was pretty emotional,' he said. 'From about quarter past five the game slowed down. I had a bit of time to look around and see all the fans, my family, all my mates that were there, to look up at the changing room. And then I was like: 'Yes. We're here now. We're getting close.' It caught me off guard. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster.' With a new World Test Championship cycle starting next week, building up to a final also likely to be played in England, in 2027, the Australia captain, Pat Cummins, said this might be a natural time to refresh his team. 'It does feel like a fresh start. 'In white-ball series, a lot of the time you build in cycles around World Cups, and maybe this is an opportunity in Test matches to do something similar. You've got guys who are right on the fringes. After this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation.'
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
‘Chokers? This win squashes that': Bavuma hopes WTC victory can unite South Africa
After generations of disappointment and heartbreak South Africa shrugged off the tag that has long haunted them with victory in the World Test Championship at Lord's. For years they have been smeared as chokers, but no more. 'While we were batting we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word: choke,' said Temba Bavuma, the South Africa captain. 'We came in with a lot of belief and a lot of doubters. We got ourselves into the final, there were doubters as to the route we took. This win squashes that. Here's an opportunity for us as a nation, divided as we are, to unite.' Aiden Markram, who scored a match-changing 136 before falling six runs from victory, said the result had redefined South Africa's Test team. 'It'll be great to not have to hear that again,' he said of being labelled chokers. 'To have got the job done and to get rid of that is quite a big thing for this team. All the questions that have been asked in the past have now been answered.' Bavuma, who scored 66 in the second innings, much of it in heroic style while struggling with a hamstring injury, said he hoped the triumph would unify his nation. 'The word that comes to mind is special: special for this group, special for myself, and special for the country,' he said. 'As a country, it's a chance for us to rejoice in something, to forget about our issues, and really come together. I hope it inspires and continues to inspire our country. And for this group of players, there were a lot of doubters but I do think the way we played would have wiped all of that out. 'The experiences I've had in the last couple of years, it hasn't been easy. It's not easy being captain of South Africa. And I guess all the sacrifices, all the disappointment, it feels worth it. When you're going through it, giving up is always an option but something kind of wills you on. And for me, it was that moment there. To be recognised as more than just a Black African cricketer, but to be seen as someone who's done something the country has wanted.' While there was tears of joy from some members of the winning team during their celebrations Markram's had come the previous evening, when with victory starting to seem not just achievable but inevitable, he sealed his century. 'I was pretty emotional,' he said. 'From about quarter past five the game sort of slowed down. I had a bit of time to look around and see all the fans, my family, all my mates that were there, to look up at the changing room. And then I was like: 'Yes. We're here now. We're getting close.' And it caught me off guard. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster.' With a new World Test Championship cycle starting next week, building up to a final also likely to be played in England, in 2027, the Australia captain, Pat Cummins, said this might be a natural time to refresh his team. 'It does feel like a fresh start. 'In white-ball series, a lot of the time you build in cycles around World Cups, and maybe this is an opportunity in Test matches to do something similar. You've got guys who are right on the fringes. After this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Why were South Africa known as 'chokers'?
South Africa's men's cricket team have finally - after decades of near misses - gotten over the line to win Proteas beat defending champions Australia by five wickets at Lord's to win the World Test is their first silverware since 1998, when they claimed gold at the Commonwealth Games and won the inaugural Champions Trophy in the space of two their victory has another, arguably greater, significance, marking a massive stride in South Africa's bid to shake off one of sport's most unwanted nicknames: 'chokers'.It's a tag which has hung heavy on the country's cricketers since 1999, so much so that even with the Proteas needing only 69 runs to win at the start of day four and with eight wickets in hand, many still fancied Australia to defend their while the wicket of captain Temba Bavuma three overs into the day set nerves jangling, South Africa held firm to secure their first trophy for 27 years."Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, choke," reflected Bavuma after victory was sealed. 1999 – the start of an unwanted legacy Speaking to BBC Sport in 2023, Jeremy Snape, a mental skills coach who has worked with Crystal Palace and England Rugby, defined choking in a sporting sense as "losing from a winning position, or losing a game you should win, as a result of psychological pressures and the weight of expectation".For South Africa, the origin of their choker status dates back to the 1999 Cricket World Cup where they snatched a tie from the jaws of victory against Australia in the semi-finals and were eliminated. Chasing 214 at Edgbaston, South Africa headed into the final over at 205-9, needing nine runs to Klusener struck Damien Fleming's first two balls for four to level the scores. With four balls remaining, South Africa were one run away from the final. After failing to score off the third delivery, Klusener went for a single off the fourth. However, Allan Donald, standing at the non-striker's end, did not hear the call and was run out by wicketkeeper Adam the match tied, Australia advanced to the final courtesy of finishing one place above South Africa in the Super Six standings in the previous round. They went on to win the World Cup and each of the next two tournaments. Donald, who had taken 4-32 in the first innings, told BBC Sport he "needed therapy to get over" the result but now feels it was a "special" game to be a part of. "After the 2019 World Cup final, it's probably the greatest game of cricket of all time," he said. "It will live on forever and to be part of that is really special." Caribbean calamity and weather-related mix-ups South Africa have appeared at all 18 50-over and T20 World Cups since being reinstated to international cricket in 1991 but have only reached a final once. That was in last year's T20 World Cup in the Caribbean where they lost to India by seven runs. South Africa needed 26 runs from 24 balls in pursuit of 177 in Barbados but saw their title hopes derailed following the dismissal of Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27) and could only score eight runs, instead of the required 16, off the final over. In total, they've lost 10 of their 12 knockout matches across these tournaments and bowed out in the semi-finals on seven then there's 2003, when South Africa exited their home World Cup in the group stage after a scoreboard miscommunication. They needed to beat Sri Lanka to progress and as rain began to fall, word reached batter Mark Boucher that South Africa needed 229 at the end of the 45th over to win. He celebrated after hitting the penultimate ball of the over for six to reach 229, defended the final ball, and the umpires took the players off for rain as expected. However, 229 was actually the score needed for a tie and with no resumption in play possible, South Africa were eliminated. Their record isn't much better in the Champions Trophy. They haven't returned to the final since being crowned the inaugural winners in Bangladesh in 1998, losing all five of their semi-finals and winning just one of six knockout Africa's knockout struggles aren't limited to men's cricket. The Proteas have been runners-up at the past two Women's T20 World Cups, losing to New Zealand (2024) and Australia (2023), respectively, and have lost five of their seven semi-finals across 50-over and T20 World Cups. This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. What is Ask Me Anything? Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and YouTube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. More questions answered... Do red, white and pink cricket balls behave differently?What is the Crucible curse?Why are line judges no longer used at Queen's?
