LONDON: South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets to win the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 at The Lord’s Cricket Ground on Saturday.
Aiden Markram’s century propelled the Proteas to beat the defending champions.
The victory marked their first since 1998 when they won the inaugural edition of the men’s Champions Trophy, called the Knockout Trophy.
South Africa resumed their run chase through centurion Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma at 213/2, needing just 69 runs to secure the historic win.
The set pair, however, could add four runs to their overnight partnership as Bavuma was caught behind off Australian counterpart in just the third over of the day.
Bavuma played a crucial role in South Africa’s victory, scoring a gritty 66 off 134 balls, including five boundaries.
Aiden Markram then shared a brief 24-run stand with Tristan Stubbs, who struggled to find rhythm and was dismissed for eight from 43 deliveries by Mitchell Starc.
Coming in at number six, David Bedingham provided solid support for Markram. The pair brought South Africa within touching distance, adding 35 runs for the fifth wicket. Markram, however, fell to Josh Hazlewood with just six runs needed for victory.
Markram remained the top scorer for his team with 136 off 207 deliveries, studded with 14 sixes.
Bedingham was later joined by wicketkeeper batter Kyle Verreynne, and together they made sure there were no further hiccups in the run chase.
Australia ended their second innings at 207 all out on the third day, with number nine batter Starc leading the way with a gutsy half-century. He remained the top scorer with an unbeaten 58.
In their first innings, Australia were dismissed for 212, with Beau Webster leading the scoring with a brisk 72 off 92 balls, well supported by Steve Smith’s resilient 62 from 112 deliveries.
Kagiso Rabada spearheaded South Africa’s bowling effort, taking five wickets in 15.4 overs, while Marco Jansen added three to his name.
In response, South Africa could muster only 138 runs in 57.1 overs. David Bedingham was the standout performer with a top score of 45.
Australian captain Pat Cummins delivered a superb spell, claiming six wickets, while Mitchell Starc chipped in with two, giving Australia a significant first-innings advantage.
