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ICC World Test Championship final day four highlights: South Africa v Australia
“Surely, we can’t mess this one up?” Shaun Pollock reportedly remarked as a lift malfunctioned at Lord’s media center following day three’s play.
Pollock’s apprehension, despite South Africa’s dominant batting display, highlights the team’s historical anxieties. The Proteas, often labeled as cricket’s ultimate chokers, faced the daunting task of scoring just 69 runs to secure victory.
Aiden Markram, resuming on a century, and his teammates grappled with the pressure, their London hotel stay marked by restless nights and interrupted sleep, even with the aid of sleeping medication.
In contrast, Australia’s players exuded an unwavering confidence, relishing the opportunity to exploit South Africa’s perceived vulnerability. Their verbal barbs underscored the tension of the chase.
“During our batting innings, we heard the Aussies using that dreaded word, ‘choke’,” South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma revealed to BBC Test Match Special. “It’s been years since we’ve overcome a final. Now, we’re part of history.”
The weight of history undoubtedly played a significant role. Before South Africa’s five-wicket victory, their record in major finals was a stark reminder of past disappointments.
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Emotional Maharaj on ‘special’ South Africa victory
South Africa’s men’s team had reached only one final in 18 previous ODI and T20 World Cups, losing 10 of their 12 knockout matches. While they’ve had prior global successes, their significance is debatable.
Victories in the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy and the Commonwealth Games in 1998, while significant, perhaps lacked the intensity of this WTC final. The jubilant scenes at Lord’s, however, and Keshav Maharaj’s emotional reaction, underscored the magnitude of this triumph.
Markram celebrated with a post-match pint, reflecting on the significance of overcoming the “chokers” label. Australia’s sledging may have masked their own internal struggles as they prepare for the Ashes series and a West Indies tour, with captain Pat Cummins hinting at potential team changes.
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It was an emotional moment
Bavuma’s presentation of the WTC mace highlighted the momentous occasion. Over three decades after their reintegration into international cricket, South Africa achieved a landmark victory. Bavuma, a trailblazer as South Africa’s first Black African Test captain and centurion, led his team to their first major ICC trophy.
Bavuma, in a prior BBC Sport interview, discussed South Africa’s post-apartheid sporting transformation. His understated leadership style, combined with head coach Shukri Conrad’s acumen, fostered team unity and character.
Bavuma’s joy was palpable, emphasizing the unifying impact of this victory. He highlighted the opportunity for national unity and reconciliation.
Despite their World Test Championship title, South Africa faces a scheduling challenge, lacking home men’s Test matches in 2025-26. Markram reaffirmed Test cricket’s importance to the nation.
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