South Africa clinch first major title since 1998 with WTC Triumph

South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, securing their first major global title since 1998. 

Resuming their second innings on 213-2, the Proteas needed 69 runs on day four to seal victory. Australia’s captain Pat Cummins sparked hope for his side by dismissing South African skipper Temba Bavuma, caught behind for 66, early in the day. With 41 runs still needed, Mitchell Starc bowled Tristan Stubbs through the gate, briefly unsettling the South African camp. 

However, Aiden Markram’s resolute 136, the only century of the match, kept South Africa on course. Markram fell just short of hitting the winning runs, caught by Travis Head off Josh Hazlewood at mid-wicket. David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne then guided the team to victory, with Verreynne sealing the chase with a composed single through the covers off Starc, sparking jubilant celebrations. 

South Africa’s chase of 342 ranks as the joint second-highest in Test cricket at Lord’s, surpassed only by the West Indies’ 344 in 1984. The Proteas became the third team to win the WTC, following New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023). 

Proteas overcome tense chase

South African fans, buoyant after a strong batting performance the previous evening, entered Lord’s on day four with cautious optimism. Batting coach Ashwell Prince admitted sleep might have been elusive for the players facing this historic moment. 

The chase wasn’t without drama. Cummins struck early, deceiving Markram with a low-skidding delivery, followed by Bavuma’s edge to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Bavuma, hampered by a hamstring injury, limped off, mirroring the tense nature of the pursuit. 

Markram countered with flashes of aggression, cutting and pulling Cummins for boundaries to loud cheers. However, Starc’s dismissal of Stubbs, whose footwork faltered against a nip-backer, and a near-miss on Bedingham heightened the tension. Australia, having used both reviews on speculative appeals, had no recourse for late drama. 

Bedingham, South Africa’s top scorer in the first innings, and the composed Markram steadied the ship. Markram’s whipped boundary and three off Hazlewood brought the target to single figures. Though he fell to Head, departing to a standing ovation, his teammates erupted in celebration from the balcony. 

Verreynne, after a failed ramp attempt, drove Starc elegantly to clinch the win, erasing South Africa’s long-standing reputation as chokers.