BY : Osabuohien Imuetinyanosa
South Africa beat Australia by five wickets in the World Test Championship final to end their long wait for a major global title.
The Proteas had resumed their second innings on 213-2 and needed 69 runs to wrap up victory on day four at Lord’s.
Australia captain Pat Cummins struck in the third over of the day to dismiss opposite number Temba Bavuma, caught behind for 66, to inject a semblance of belief.
Then with 41 runs required, Mitchell Starc bowled Tristan Stubbs through the gate to cause a little more anxiety in the South Africa dressing room.
However, centurion Aiden Markram continued where he left off from the previous day as he put South Africa on the brink of victory with a superb 136.
Markram, the only player to make a hundred in the match, missed out on the chance to hit the winning runs when he flicked Josh Hazlewood into the hands of Travis Head at mid-wicket with the winning post in sight.
That left David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne to see South Africa over the line – Verreynne stroking a drive through the covers off Starc for a single to seal it before raising his arms in joyous celebration.
South Africa’s run chase was the joint second-highest in Test cricket at the ground – bettered only by West Indies’ pursuit of 342 in 1984.
They are the third team to be crowned World Test champions after New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023).(BBC).
Proteas Complete Tense Chase
The South African cricket team pulled off a thrilling victory in their latest match against Australia, completing a nail-biting chase that kept fans on the edge of their seats. After a memorable day of batting on the fourth day, the Proteas still had 69 runs to get, and the tension was palpable. Batting coach Ashwell Prince affirmed that getting some sleep before the final day might be difficult for the players, and it showed as they lost the rhythm to get the runs they needed. Nonetheless, once the target dwindled to single figures, the Proteas’ nerves steadied, and they celebrated with gusto. In the end, it was Verreynne who delivered the winning moment with a well-executed drive, sending the South African players into their dressing room with great delight and celebrations.(Sportday)
