South Africa ended a 27-year wait with a commanding five-wicket triumph against Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's on Saturday.
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| Credit _ Pro batsman |
WTC Final 2025 Day 4, SA vs AUS Live Cricket Score Updates: Aiden Markram’s masterful 136 steered South Africa to a thrilling five-wicket triumph against Australia in the World Test Championship final on Wednesday at the iconic Lord’s. Chasing a target of 215, South Africa began the fourth day needing just 69 runs for victory.
However, Australia’s pace spearhead Pat Cummins struck early, removing the resilient Temba Bavuma with a sharp delivery. Mitchell Starc then ignited a flicker of hope for the Aussies by dismissing the in-form Tristan Stubbs, leaving South Africa momentarily rattled. Despite the late pressure, Markram’s composure and crucial partnerships guided the Proteas to their maiden WTC title, sealing a historic victory with five wickets in hand.
Aiden Markram and David Bedingham's partnership brought South Africa tantalizingly close to victory, but Markram fell at mid-wicket to Josh Hazlewood's bowling just one boundary shy of the target. Kyle Verreynne and Bedingham then steadied the ship to secure the win.
Australia were bowled out for 207, with Kagiso Rabada's four-wicket haul leading the charge in their second innings. Lungi Ngidi also shone, claiming three wickets to swing the momentum South Africa's way on the evening of Day 2.
South Africa faced two setbacks on the fourth morning when captain Temba Bavuma (66) was dismissed by Australian skipper Pat Cummins (1/59) in the third over, offering the Aussies a glimmer of hope, followed by Mitchell Starc (3/66) breaching Tristan Stubbs' (8) defenses with 41 runs still needed. However, Aiden Markram, as he did on the pivotal third day, remained calm, capitalizing on loose deliveries and making batting appear effortless as South Africa steadily closed in on the victory target.
WTC Final 2025, SA vs AUS Live Score: Temba Bavuma after win: It has been a special couple of days, felt like we were back home in South Africa with the support we have had. Special moment for us as a team, special moment back home, will take a couple of days to sink in. The energy was there, we have been wanting this as a team, we have been knocking on the door, we have gone through the heartache, the disappointments, seen it with the past players and the sun is on us. Hopefully this is one of many. KG is a massive player, in a couple of years he will be in the ICC Hall of Fame. He was under controversy but he did what he does. Markram was unbelievable, stats are important but character is what we look at and Aiden has that. Another massive player for us. Us a team we got ourselves into the final, there were doubters with the route we took, supposedly beating weaker teams. This is for them. I'm sure the people back home will be celebrating.
Pat Cummins: Things can change pretty quickly but unfortunately this was a bridge too far. There's always a few things, decent first innings lead and tried to bat them out, did not happen. A bit of both, it has been a wonderful two years, did not come together for this game, but maybe a bit of both. 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 were deserved champions, kept themselves in the game and pounced on the opportunity. I love Test cricket, it is the pinnacle. It is a fantastic kind of spectacle.
Aiden Markram | Player of the Match: Not at all. Weird how things work out, you get a duck. Ultimately you get luck and it worked out. It will yes. Lord's is a place where every Test cricketer wants to play. Plenty of South African fans were there and it was one of those special days. It's not always one-sided, you absorb the pressure and it was about maximising the scoring options. He is one of the best in the world, we had plenty of banter with him, said to him he is one of the best. Tough to have got over the line. Lot of it came from him, he has always led from the front, found way a to score runs and those sort of knocks are something people will remember you for.
Kagiso Rabada: I can’t describe in words how I feel at this moment. Extremely happy. We played well throughout the season. We deserved to get into this position. There were people saying we didn’t play good enough oppositions but I think that’s rubbish. Australia are a really strong team and we had to be at our best to beat them. The last four days felt like a home game, thank you for turning up and keep turning up.
Marco Jansen: I don’t know what to say, was sitting there and just praying. Luckily we got the job done, just happy we won. There were a lot of nerves in the change room, lot of guys were quiet including me. To see the crowd here, supporting and cheering us, can’t ask for more. Unbelievable from Markram, what a player. Him and Temba, brilliant. That’s what dreams are made of, dreams are meant to be achieved and we’re going to celebrate.
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