Hello and welcome all to the penultimate day of the gripping ICC WTC Final between defending champion Australia and South Africa at the Lord's. South Africa closed in on a historic World Test Championship title at Lord바카라s, ending day three on 213/2 and needing just 69 more runs to beat Australia. Aiden Markram led the charge with a brilliant unbeaten 102, his third fourth-innings Test century, while captain Temba Bavuma, battling a hamstring injury, contributed a gritty 65*
South Africa closed in on a historic World Test Championship title at Lord바카라s, ending day three on 213/2 and needing just 69 more runs to beat Australia. Aiden Markram led the charge with a brilliant unbeaten 102, his third fourth-innings Test century, while captain Temba Bavuma, battling a hamstring injury, contributed a gritty 65*. Their unbroken 143-run stand, the highest of the match, came after Australia had earlier posted 207 in their second innings, with Mitchell Starc scoring 58* and helping push the lead to 281. Despite losing two early wickets, South Africa batted with intent and composure, especially after a key moment when Bavuma was dropped by Steve Smith, who injured his finger in the process. With Australia visibly fatigued and wicketless in the final session, the Proteas now stand on the verge of their first ICC title in 26 years.
1st Session: 3:00 p.m. 바카라 5:00 p.m.
Lunch Break: 5:00 p.m. 바카라 5:40 p.m.
2nd Session: 5:40 p.m. 바카라 7:40 p.m.
Tea Break: 7:40 p.m. 바카라 8:00 p.m.
3rd Session: 8:00 p.m. 바카라 10:00 p.m.
Eight wickets or 69 runs 바카라 that바카라s all that separates cricket from witnessing either a historic resurgence or another chapter of heartbreak. On one side stands Australia, the defending champions chasing back-to-back World Test Championship titles, a team accustomed to silverware and glory. On the other, South Africa 바카라 rich in cricketing legacy but haunted by decades of near-misses and unfulfilled potential on the world stage. As the final day dawns at Lord바카라s, the Proteas are within touching distance of their first ICC men바카라s title since 1998. But can they hold their nerve under pressure, or will Australia script one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Test history?
As Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori rings the iconic five-minute bell at Lord바카라s, anticipation reaches fever pitch. South African captain Temba Bavuma and centurion Aiden Markram stride out with purpose, needing just 69 runs to script history. Pat Cummins, leading from the front, takes the ball to kick off Day 4 바카라 knowing full well the steep climb that awaits his side. With South Africa just eight wickets away from a maiden World Test Championship title, and Australia desperate to defend their crown, the stage is set for a gripping final act in this classic Test showdown.
Now then바카라¦ here comes the jeopardy for South Africa. What began as an anxious yet composed morning for Bavuma, Markram, and a sea of hopeful fans at Lord's quickly turned tense. Cheers rang out as Bavuma nudged a single into the covers to get the scoreboard ticking, and Markram followed with a well-run three that visibly tested his skipper바카라s fragile hamstring. But the calm was short-lived. Pat Cummins, relentless as ever, tightened his line just outside off stump, extracted a hint of bounce and movement, and forced the edge high off the handle. Alex Carey did the rest behind the stumps. Bavuma's brave knock was over, silencing the South African section momentarily. With 65 still needed and Tristan Stubbs walking out under immense pressure, Australia had drawn first blood 바카라 the very breakthrough assistant coach Daniel Vettori had warned would open the floodgates.
Six overs into the fourth morning at Lord바카라s, and the tension is palpable. South Africa have inched forward, adding just 11 runs to their tally, but at the cost of their captain, Temba Bavuma. His dismissal has injected a fresh wave of anxiety into the chase, turning what looked like a steady march into a fraught affair. Every run now feels hard-earned, every delivery laced with drama, as Australia circle with renewed intent and South Africa grapple with the weight of history and the pressure of the moment.
Steven Smith has avoided surgery on the compound dislocation to his right little finger, sustained while attempting a sharp catch against South Africa at Lord바카라s, but remains in a race against time to be fit for Australia's Test series in the West Indies. The injury, which required stitches and a splint, will keep him in some discomfort, with the splint likely to remain for up to eight weeks.
While the wound is expected to heal within two weeks, Smith바카라s participation in the upcoming Tests바카라starting June 25 in Barbados바카라will depend on his ability to bat and field effectively with the splint. The injury could also restrict his role in the slips. He had been slated to feature briefly for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, but that stint now hangs in doubt as recovery and fitness take priority.
Aussies get another wicket. Tristan Stubbs is gone! Mitchell Starc cleans him up and he gives his team a really crucial wicket. There is still some way to go for this Test match. Can Australia force a come back here. If they can get the centurion Aiden Markram now, things will become really, really interesting. South Africa do not need to commit hara-kiri here. David Bedingham is the new man in and he has stay with Markram for some time. Even a 20-run partnership will be enough for South Africa to go on to set up this game in their favour.
RSA 241/4 need 40 runs to win
RSA 247/4 need 35 runs to win
Australia are keeping up the pressure with the ball but they are themselves under immense stress at this point. They have burned all their reviews and now they do not have the ability to review a decision for the remainder of this game. South Africa know that they are just a few shots away from sealing the deal. Aiden Markram is still there and the Proteas would be very confident of bringing the WTC trophy home now.
Just 17 runs separate South Africa and their first ICC trophy in 27 years. What a moment it is going to be for the fans in South Africa who have endured heartbreaks after heartbreaks all these years as they saw their team fail to cross the final hurdles on numerous ocassions. But this time, led by the inspiring figure of Temba Bavuma, they are all set to bring smiles on their fans' faces.
South Africa are the World Test Champions!!!
South Africa have done it. They have added an ICC trophy to their cabinet for the first time since 1997. Massive, massive moment for them. The Rainbow Nations is all coloured and why should not they be. Kyle Verreyne hits the winning runs and the Proteas have won the WTC final by five wickets.
"That바카라s what dreams are made of, dreams are meant to be achieved and we바카라re going to celebrate," says Marco Jansen.
"I바카라m speechless right now. That spell the other day, broke the game open and I바카라m proud of that, that바카라s what kept me going. I바카라m very proud of what the boys have achieved": Lungi Ngidi
Some greats of the game played for South Africa and they could never get the world title but this bunch has done it.
Aiden Markram is the Player of the Match. Got a six-ball Duck in the first innings but then played an outstanding knock of 136 to take his team to the trophy.
"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."
Pat Cummins after loss
"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."
Temba Bavuma after win
AUS 212 & 207
RSA 138 & 282/5
South Africa won by 5 wkts