After years of heartbreak, the Proteas have finally won something significant after they came out victorious in the World Test Championship final. They defeated Australia at Lord’s on Saturday.
South Africa won by five wickets to end their long wait for a major global title. They have now broken a 27-year drought, and the celebrations were uncontrollable, the relief palpable on the faces of the players and supporters. It was their first men’s senior ICC trophy since 1998.
Eight wickets in hand
Going into the match, the South Africans had eight wickets in hand and needed 69 runs to pull the victory. The Proteas had resumed their second innings on 213-2.
They were clinical and made sure that the proverbial chokers’ tag did not come back to haunt them. Coach Shukri Conrad made it known to the team and captain Temba Bavuma after Friday’s inspiring performance that he wanted nothing but a victory. he urged his charges to go and finish off the job.
The Proteas’ fight to reach the required 69 runs to win the test on the fourth morning was made to look easy. Opening batsman Aiden Markram was the star and his innings of 136 proved to be the difference between the two sides.
SA stuttered only on two occasions with Bavuma taken out by Pat Cummins after 66 runs. Tristian Stubbs was also removed after eight runs and the Aussies were smelling blood. They had some hope of staging a dramatic comeback.
Markram composed
Just like he played on Friday, Markram was composed, stuck to the basics, making batting look easy. Even after the departure of Bavuma and Stubbs, he did not panic and led SA towards the finish line. He later received a standing ovation from the crowd at the stadium.
Last year the Proteas fell agonisingly close with victory in sight in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against India. Even though there were some anxious moments, the South Africans powered to victory to end their long drought.
South Africa XI: 1. Aiden Markram, 2. Ryan Rickelton, 3. Wiaan Mulder, 4. Temba Bavuma (c), 5. Tristan Stubbs, 6. David Bedingham, 7. Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Lungi Ngidi.
Australia XI: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood.
