South Africa clinched the 2023–25 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title with an impressive five-wicket win over the defending champions, Australia, at Lord’s on Saturday.
This victory marks South Africa’s first major ICC trophy since 1998, highlighting a significant moment in the country’s cricketing revival.
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Aiden Markram played a crucial role in the fourth-innings chase, scoring a steady and determined 136 off 207 balls, which helped the Proteas surpass the 282-run target early on day four.
His performance, characterised by technical skill and mental fortitude, was the foundation of South Africa’s successful chase, finally ending a nearly three-decade wait for global cricketing success.
Strategic Execution Delivers Fourth-Innings Mastery
South Africa kicked off the day at 213/2, needing just 69 more runs to clinch the championship. They faced a bit of a hiccup when Temba Bavuma was dismissed for 66, caught behind in the third over, but the team kept their cool. Bavuma’s solid innings had been crucial in steadying the chase alongside Markram.
After that, Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham stepped up with some quick but vital contributions. Stubbs managed to score eight runs before Mitchell Starc took him out. Bedingham then teamed up with Markram for a 35-run partnership, bringing South Africa closer to their target. Even though Josh Hazlewood got Markram out just six runs shy of victory, Bedingham (20*) and Kyle Verreynne (6*) made sure there were no more hiccups.
Markram’s century, which included 14 boundaries, was the standout performance of the final, marking a historic moment for the Proteas.
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Bowling Brilliance and Tactical Resilience Set the Stage
South Africa’s journey to victory was marked by an outstanding bowling performance, especially from Kagiso Rabada, who took 5 wickets for 47 runs in Australia’s first innings, which totaled 212.
Even though the Proteas could only muster a modest 138 all out in response, they maintained a disciplined approach. Pat Cummins shone for Australia with figures of 6 for 41, giving them a first-innings lead of 74 runs.
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However, Australia’s second innings didn’t build on that advantage. They could only score 207 runs, despite a late surge from Mitchell Starc, who scored 58, along with earlier contributions from Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (62). Ultimately, it was the Proteas’ collective discipline and adaptability that made all the difference.
This victory not only crowned South Africa as the World Test Champions but also highlighted their strategic growth and increasing maturity in red-ball cricket, offering a promising outlook for their future international endeavors.
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