South Africa Defeat Australia by Five Wickets to Clinch World Test Championship Title

(WEB DESK) — South Africa claimed their first-ever World Test Championship (WTC) title in a thrilling fashion on Saturday, completing a memorable five-wicket victory over Australia at Lord’s. Chasing a daunting 282-run target, the Proteas held their nerve to script a dramatic turnaround and seal their maiden major triumph in international Test cricket.

Resuming on 213-2 on the fourth day, South Africa needed just 69 more runs to win. But their path to victory was anything but straightforward. It took them 27.4 overs to inch over the finish line in a tense morning session, ultimately completing the joint second-highest successful fourth-innings chase ever recorded at the historic venue.

The result marked a watershed moment for South African cricket, long plagued by near-misses and heartbreaks in high-stakes contests. After decades of falling short in limited-overs tournaments, this was their first taste of global silverware in the longest format.

Opener Aiden Markram was the hero of the match, crafting a masterful 136-run innings. Having reached his century late on the third day, Markram added a crucial 34 runs on Saturday morning before falling with just six needed, caught sharply by Travis Head.

Kyle Verreynne, who admitted feeling overwhelmed by nerves, ultimately struck the winning run. He remained unbeaten on 4 alongside David Bedingham, who contributed a calm 21 not out.

“It was the most nervous I’ve ever been. I didn’t want to come out and bat, but when Aiden got out, I had to,” Verreynne confessed after the match.

South Africa began the day as favourites but had a jittery start. Captain Temba Bavuma, who resumed on 65, was dismissed early, edging a rising delivery from Pat Cummins after adding just one run.

Australia, desperate for a breakthrough, burned two unsuccessful reviews before Mitchell Starc bowled Tristan Stubbs for eight, reducing South Africa to 241-5 with 41 still needed.

However, Markram and Bedingham steadied the ship, adding 35 runs in a composed partnership that took them to the brink of victory before the final flourish came just before lunch.