South Africa Clinch Maiden Test Championship in Thrilling Chase

By siliconindia  |  Monday, 16 June 2025, 11:27:37 AM IST

South Africa Clinch Maiden Test Championship in Thrilling Chase
  • South Africa wins the World Test Championship final, ending a 27-year ICC trophy drought with a five-wicket triumph over Australia at Lord’s.
  • Aiden Markram scores a match-winning 136, while Temba Bavuma adds a gritty 66 despite injury; Kagiso Rabada shines with 9 wickets.
  • After a slow WTC start, South Africa wins eight Tests in a row to clinch only their second-ever ICC title.
South Africa ended a 27-year wait for an ICC trophy with a historic five-wicket victory over defending champions Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s. Chasing a stiff 282-run target on Day 4, the Proteas rode on a magnificent century by Aiden Markram and a gritty half-century from skipper Temba Bavuma to seal their first ICC title since the 1998 Knockout Trophy.
It was a defining moment for South African cricket as the team, often labeled as perennial underachievers in ICC tournaments, finally broke the jinx in the longest format of the game. The win also marked South Africa’s eighth consecutive Test victory, a remarkable turnaround after having only one win in their first five matches of the WTC cycle.
The final, which commenced on June 11, saw South Africa opt to bowl after winning the toss. Kagiso Rabada made immediate impact, dismissing key Australian batters in a fiery opening spell. Australia found themselves struggling at 67/4 before Steve Smith (54) and Beau Webster (57) rescued the innings with a gritty stand. Rabada returned to wrap up the tail, finishing with a five-wicket haul as Australia were bundled out for 212.
South Africa’s reply began poorly, crumbling to 43/4 by stumps on Day 1, with Pat Cummins wreaking havoc on a helpful surface. Cummins continued his dominance on Day 2, ending with a five-wicket haul, as South Africa were bowled out for 138, trailing by 74 runs. David Bedingham top-scored with a valiant 45.
Australia, aiming to press their advantage, faltered again in their second innings. Rabada and Lungi Ngidi tore through the batting order, reducing the Aussies to 73/7. Mitchell Starc fought back with a resilient unbeaten 58, and along with Josh Hazlewood, added 59 crucial runs for the final wicket to set a competitive 282-run target.
Faced with a challenging chase, South Africa lost opener Ryan Rickelton early. But Markram and Bavuma anchored the innings with a 147-run stand for the third wicket. Bavuma, battling a hamstring injury, contributed a vital 66, while Markram produced one of his finest innings, scoring a composed 136 – his eighth Test century.
The Proteas entered Day 4 needing just 69 more runs with eight wickets in hand. Though Cummins dismissed Bavuma early and Tristan Stubbs fell with 42 runs still needed, Markram and Bedingham steadied the innings. Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs to seal a momentous victory, triggering jubilant celebrations in the South African camp.
Rabada’s all-round brilliance – nine wickets in the match and two five-wicket hauls at Lord’s – earned him accolades, while Markram’s century was hailed as a defining knock under pressure.
With this win, South Africa not only captured their second ICC title but also reasserted themselves as a formidable force in Test cricket. For Bavuma’s men, this was more than just a title – it was redemption, history, and a statement to the cricketing world.

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