South Africa made cricket history on a sun-drenched Saturday at Lord’s, claiming their first-ever World Test Championship (WTC) title. After decades of heartbreaks and near-misses, the Proteas finally enjoyed a moment of glory, overcoming Australia by five wickets. The final chase was brilliantly anchored by Aiden Markram, whose unforgettable 136 guided South Africa home and ended their long wait for a global trophy.
Resuming on 213 for 2, the Proteas required 69 more runs on the decisive fourth day, with tension high at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground. The atmosphere was electric, with a crowd heavily favoring South Africa and each run met with loud applause. Temba Bavuma bravely battled a hamstring injury to construct a match-winning partnership of 147 with Markram, despite falling just before the end.
Australia’s bowlers, including Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, made South Africa fight for every run. Starc’s fiery spell momentarily kept Aussie hopes alive, but Markram’s resilience and occasional boundaries eased the pressure. Even when wickets fell and the run rate slowed, South Africa’s composure held firm.
With only a handful of runs needed, the tension gave way to jubilation as Kyle Verreynne drove the winning runs through the covers, sparking wild celebrations both on the field and among the Protea faithful around the world.
This historic victory not only rewrites South Africa’s cricket story but underscores the global passion for Test cricket outside the ‘Big Three.’ The 2024 WTC final will be remembered for Markram’s epic innings, South Africa’s determination, and the end of a long, painful wait for major silverware.
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