Finally, the Jinx of an ICC finals for the Proteas has been removed. South Africa wins the World Test Championship (WTC).
In Short
- A heroic Knock by Aiden Markram (136 runs) helped South Africa to beat Australia by five wickets in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC).
The World Test Championship (WTC) Final was expected to be a run feast, but turned out to be a low-scoring thriller with Bowlers dominating the Batsman for most sessions in the Test match.
The World Test Championship Finals
A daunting final innings chase at the home of cricket for an ICC title against a feared bowling lineup was a perfect recipe for a thriller in the making.
The Proteas were backed by some excellent crowd support who were cheering their team to an improbable win.
The Proteas have been wanting this moment to become world champions for a long time now. They have been knocking on the ICC door for some time now, both in the ODI and the T20 format but faced heart breaks till now.
Most Pundits had not given the Proteas any chance against the powerful Australians, but the South African team did not allow the occasion get to them, and some inspiring bowling from their spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who took 9 wickets in the match, restricted the Australians to pile up a big first or second innings score.
Conditions at the Lord’s for the World Test Championship
The conditions at the Lord’s cricket ground favored the bowlers for the first three days of the Test match, and bowlers from both teams were able to keep the opposing team in check.
Day 1
South Africa bundled out the Australians in their first innings for 212.
With Conditions favoring the bowlers, South African hopes took a massive nosedive when Australians made a comeback and took 4 Proteas wickets for 30 on Day 1.
This negated any initial South African advantage.
Day 2
South Africans were bowled out for 138 runs and the Aussies were able to inflict a first-innings deficit of 74 runs.
But unlike in the past, Bavuma’s men refused to buckle down under Aussie pressure, and clawed their way back into the contest even after some rear-guard batting from the Aussie lower-order, who helped to post a defendable target. Aussies were bowled out for 207 in the 3rd inning
Fourth Innings of the Test – The Chase for the World Test Championship (Day 3 and Day 4)
South Africa had a mammoth 282 runs to chase. This was no small score to chase, and the burden of an ICC final would make the chase even more difficult.
Aussies, known for their grit and determination, especially in an ICC final, took the initial two wickets cheaply, and Aussie fans would have fancied a thought of lifting the trophy again soon.
What followed next was something even the most ardent South African fan would not have imagined.
Aiden Markaram played the best innings of his life and probably the best 4th inning batsmanship the Mecca of Cricket (Lord’s) has ever witnessed.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma overcame pain to score a valiant half-century to put his side on course to a historic win at Lord’s.
Bavuma’s stay at the crease led to a 147-run stand with Markram, the highest in this Test, to ensure that South Africa were within reach of their goal.
The Turning Point
Luck was finally in favour of the Proteas as Temba Bavuma was dropped by Steve Smith in the slips. This was the turning point of the game. This resulted in a partnership of 147 match-winning runs.
The determined pair were unbeaten at the end of day 3 and needed just 69 runs on the 4th day.
An Aussie fightback did take place, but it was too little, too late.
South Africa beat Australia by 5 wickets.
After lifting the ICC Mace , South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma said, “This is what we wanted to do, we planned for it, prepped for it and put in the work. We’re happy we could take it away. I hope our performance gives credit to why we were in the final”.
Super Sports View
Not many predicted a South African win against the mighty Australians and many also questioned path to the final for South Africa, exposing flaws in the WTC league system.
The Final of the World Test Championship was truly a test to remember for many reasons. Markram had delivered a masterclass in batting with sound technic and extreme temperament in such a big occasion. Kagiso Rabada’s heroics helped the Proteas to take all 20 Aussie wickets.
South African team have shaken off the dreaded “chokers” tag and dethroned the defending champions Australia.
South Africa‘s men, contrary to popular belief, have won global events before.
South African captain Graeme Smith and his 2012 Test team lifted the mace when they topped the Test ranking.
They lifted the inaugural 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy in Bangladesh – the tournament was later rebranded as the Champions Trophy.
Earlier that same year, South Africa defeated Australia in the final of the Commonwealth Games played in Malaysia.
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