It is a momentous day for South African cricket, with the Proteas holding their nerve to claim their first major ICC trophy in 26 years, ending their reputation as perennial chokers.
As Kyle Verreynne drove Mitchell Starc through the covers for a single to complete a five-wicket World Test Championship final victory, the cheers and tears from the South African viewing platform – as well as from a packed Lord’s crowd there to witness history being made – told of the significance of the occasion.
The triumph wouldn’t have been possible without opener Aiden Markram, who continued on from his Day 3 century to finish on 136, though a tremendous Travis Head catch would rob him of the deserved honour of being there for the final runs.
But walking back to the pavilion with the Proteas needing just six runs, the damage was done. He had already left a legacy on the final: his innings virtually propelled them over the line.
Marco Jansen summed up his teammate’s performance by simply saying: “Un-fricken-believable. What a player. What a guy to have in your team… that’s what dreams are made of, dreams are meant to be achieved”.
The Proteas had not made it past five semi-final stage appearances at World Cup tournaments, while they were runners-up at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
But now, in just the third edition of the prestige long-form tournament, South Africa can call themselves World Test champions.
The Proteas started the day well in control at 2-213 after facing 56 overs into their second innings, but it was a good start from Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, with a good line and early deviation, as well as the assistance of uneven bounce off the pitch, proving tricky for Day 3 heroes Temba Bavuma and Markram.
In just the third over of the day, Cummins struck, capturing the edge of Bavuma for 66, who had battled a hamstring injury throughout most of the innings.
It brought Tristan Stubbs to the crease, and on just the second ball of his innings, he faced a huge appeal from Hazlewood after being struck on the pads. The Aussies wisely opted not to review the not-out decision.
It was steady going after that as the batters slowly but surely chipped away at the deficit, and with 55 runs needed, the Aussies optimistically did use a review, desperate for another breakthrough. There was only one green light as it was a quick decision for the third umpire to confirm the on-field call of not out.
Despite Australia’s lead being whittled away with every passing over, the bowlers were making the South Africans work for every run, with just two boundaries coming in the first 90 minutes of play.
The bowling pressure was getting to the batters, who were taking unnecessary risks running between the wickets. Pat Cummins nearly had a run out on the final ball before the first drinks break, as Stubbs only just managed to make his ground.
The pressure continued after the break, and Carey thought he had heard a noise off the glove down the leg side, convincing Cummins to use one of his remaining reviews. To the Australian players’ shock, it looked like it had to have made contact, but Ultra Edge showed no spike, and Stubbs survived.
At least for one more ball. Starc responded with a peach of a delivery, clipping the bail, and the South African batsman had to go for eight runs off 43 balls.
It gave the Aussies a sniff, sensing one or two quick wickets and they’d be back in the fight. But it would have to happen quickly, with not many runs left in the bag.
But there was also a sense of over-desperation from Australia. As their lead fell to just 35, the skipper reviewed an LBW shout that was literally a roll of the dice. Players started walking back to their positions after seeing the first replay, as the ball impacted well outside the line – it was the last of the reviews up their sleeve.
It wasn’t the end of the agony as far as the video technology was concerned. The umpires sent an appeal for a catch for further scrutiny after the ball hit Head’s boot before bouncing up, but the replays showed it came in contact with the ground before the foot and David Bedingham.
At this point, South Africa needed just 18 runs to win – and not even the optimistic shouts of Marnus Labuschagne could save the Aussies.
Markram fell to little celebration from the Aussies, as the inevitable win was sealed before lunch, Verreynne hitting the winning runs.
“I am just relieved. I was watching the morning just thinking that I don’t want to go out to bat,” Verreynne said.
“Aiden did beautifully, but when I walked to the middle, it was probably the most nervous that I have been.
“With my partner next to me, we managed to get over the line. Incredible.
“It means a lot (for South Africa). Listen to the whole ground singing, even on the way back to the hotel and you see guys on the street singing songs.
“I am getting a bit emotional now. We’ve had a tough time as South African cricketers.”
MORE TO COME
