South Africa Clinch Historic World Test Championship Title at Lord’s

South African Team with Test World Championship Trophy | Image Credit: ICC

South Africa lifted their first ICC trophy in 26 years with a memorable victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, led by a match-defining century from Aiden Markram.

The Proteas chased down a challenging target in the fourth innings, sealing a win by six wickets and ending decades of heartbreak in ICC tournaments. Markram, who was named Player of the Match, scored a gritty 136, guiding his team to within six runs of the finish line before being dismissed. His innings is now regarded as one of the greatest in South African cricket history.

Reflecting on the win, Markram admitted that memories of previous disappointments, particularly the T20 World Cup final loss last year, served as motivation. “That gave me the drive to stay at the crease and get the job done,” he said. “To finally put those doubts to rest and remove the ‘chokers’ tag is massive for this team.”

Markram and captain Temba Bavuma shared a crucial 147-run stand for the third wicket, breaking the back of the chase. Bavuma, who was clearly struggling with a hamstring issue, batted through pain and played a vital role in stabilising the innings. Markram praised his captain’s courage and commitment, highlighting the leadership shown during a high-pressure run chase.

Despite scoring his century on the previous evening, Markram admitted to a sleepless night before the final day’s play. Emotions overcame him when he reached the milestone, as he took in the support of the crowd, his family, and teammates. “Tears leaked out, and I couldn’t stop them,” he said.

The victory marks South Africa’s first major ICC trophy since the 1998 Champions Trophy and is seen as a turning point in their cricketing journey. Markram, born in Centurion, expressed hope that this triumph would inspire the next generation of South African cricketers to prioritise the Test format.

“I don’t chase stats. I want to win trophies for South Africa,” he stated. “Test cricket must remain our number one goal, and if this win motivates youngsters to earn the Test cap, we’ve done our job.”

As the South African players took a lap of honour at Lord’s, Markram enjoyed a celebratory beer, soaking in the moment with fans and friends. It was a day that may not fully sink in for the team immediately, but one that will forever be etched in South Africa’s cricketing legacy.