South Africa Clinches ICC World Test Championship Title
Lords, (Dunya News) – In a thrilling final of the ICC World Test Championship, South Africa defeated Australia by 5 wickets to claim the prestigious title.
Day 1: South Africa Fields First
South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to field first. Australia’s openers, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, struggled early. Khawaja was dismissed for a duck, while Labuschagne managed only 17 runs.
Cameron Green scored 4, and Travis Head added 11. Australia lost its fifth wicket at 146, with Steve Smith contributing 66 runs, Beau Webster 72, and Alex Carey 23. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins scored 1 each, while Nathan Lyon was dismissed for zero.
For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada took 5 wickets, Marco Jansen claimed 3, and Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram picked up 1 each.
In response, South Africa began poorly at 43 for 4, trailing by 169 runs. Ryan Rickelton scored 16, Wiaan Mulder 6, and Tristan Stubbs and Aiden Markram were dismissed for zero. Mitchell Starc took 2 wickets, while Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood took 1 each.
Day 2: Proteas Show Fight
South Africa resumed at 4 wickets down and looked more confident. A 64-run partnership between Bavuma and David Bedingham gave the team hope.
However, Bavuma fell for 36, triggering a collapse. South Africa was all out for 138. Australia’s Pat Cummins dominated with 6 wickets for 28 runs, while Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood claimed 2 and 1 wickets, respectively.
Australia ended the day at 144 for 8 in their second innings, with Alex Carey top-scoring at 43. Rabada led the South African bowling with 3 wickets, leaving Australia with a total lead of 218 runs.
Day 3: Australia Extends Lead
Australia resumed at 144 for 8, and Nathan Lyon fell early after scoring 2 runs. Josh Hazlewood added 17, while Mitchell Starc remained unbeaten on 58. Australia achieved an overall lead of 281 runs.
For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram took a wicket each, keeping the Proteas in the game.
Day 4: South Africa’s Winning Chase
On the fourth day at historic Lord’s, South Africa resumed its innings. Bavuma added just 1 run to his overnight score, finishing with 66. Tristan Stubbs contributed 8 runs.
A 35-run partnership between Aiden Markram and David Bedingham stabilized the innings. Markram scored a brilliant 136 before being dismissed, while Bedingham remained not out on 21.
Ultimately, South Africa chased down the target and clinched the World Test title by 5 wickets.
South Africa Squad
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Temba Bavuma (Captain)
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Aiden Markram
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Ryan Rickelton
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Wiaan Mulder
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Tristan Stubbs
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David Bedingham
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Kyle Verreynne
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Marco Jansen
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Keshav Maharaj
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Kagiso Rabada
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Lungi Ngidi
Australia Squad
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Pat Cummins (Captain)
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Usman Khawaja
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Marnus Labuschagne
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Cameron Green
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Steve Smith
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Travis Head
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Beau Webster
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Alex Carey
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Mitchell Starc
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Nathan Lyon
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Josh Hazlewood