Australia’s hopes of defending their ICC World Test Championship crown ended in heartbreak as they went down by five wickets to South Africa at Lord’s on June 14, Saturday. Captain Pat Cummins admitted the Aussies couldn’t deliver when it mattered most, and it was something the Proteas deserved, ending their 27-year winless run.
“Things can change pretty quickly but unfortunately this was a bridge too far,” Cummins said after the defeat. “There's always a few things -- a decent first innings lead, and tried to bat them out, didn’t happen.”
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bowl under overcast skies. Kagiso Rabada led the charge with five wickets as Australia were bowled out for 212. Steve Smith and Beau Webster provided some resistance, scoring half tons.
In response, South Africa collapsed to 138 as Cummins claimed a six-wicket haul. Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham were the only batters to get going, as Australia gained a 74-run first-innings lead.
Now, chasing the target Aiden Markram, who had scored a duck in the first innings, made a century -- the first ever by a South African in an ICC final. Bavuma scored 66 runs as they built the chase patiently. Kyle Verreynne sealed the five-wicket win in the 84th over.
Speaking on the match, Cummins praised South Africa’s efforts. “South Africa were deserved champions, kept themselves in the game and pounced on the opportunity,” he said. “I love Test cricket, it is the pinnacle. It is a fantastic kind of spectacle.”
However, despite the loss, Australia had moments of fight. Cummins noted how the wicket seemed to flatten out but remained tricky throughout. “It was looking like the wicket flattened out but it can change here, unfortunately it did not. Lyono looked threatening but he did not get a wicket. Aiden was fantastic.”
South Africa’s consistency and belief ultimately paid off, lifting their first ICC trophy since the 1998 Champions Trophy.
