Temba Bavuma stood tall at Lord바카라s on June 14, holding the World Test Championship mace. South Africa had finally done it. After 27 years of waiting, they defeated the formidable Australia by 5 wickets in the WTC final to lift the ICC trophy. And their captain couldn바카라t stop smiling.
바카라It has been a special couple of days,바카라 Bavuma said after the match. 바카라It felt like we were back home in South Africa with all the support. This is a special moment for the team and for everyone back home. It will take a few days to really sink in.바카라
South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first. They bowled out Australia for just 212 in the first innings, with Kagiso Rabada taking five wickets. In reply, South Africa managed only 138 runs, giving Australia a 74-run lead.
But the Proteas바카라 bowlers were up to the task again, dismissing Australia for 207 in the second innings. That left a target of 282 to win the final.
Aiden Markram played a brilliant innings, scoring a century -- the first by a South African in the final of an ICC tournament. Bavuma added a calm 66. The chase was completed in the 84th over, as Kyle Verreynne hit the winning run off Mitchell Starc.
South Africa's first ever trophy came in 1998 when they defeated West Indies to lift the ICC Champions Trophy. The heartbreak for 27 years wasn't easy.
바카라We바카라ve been knocking on the door,바카라 Bavuma said. 바카라We바카라ve been through the heartache and disappointments. We바카라ve seen it happen to players before us. But now, the sun is on us.바카라
With this win, Bavuma바카라s unbeaten record as South Africa바카라s Test captain stays intact. After the match, he made sure to acknowledge the players who made it possible -- especially Kagiso Rabada, who took six wickets in the match.
바카라KG is a massive player. In a few years, he바카라ll be in the ICC Hall of Fame. Markram was unbelievable. Stats are important, but character matters more -- and Aiden has that.바카라
Bavuma also praised Aiden Markram once more, highlighting not just his performance but the mental strength it took to bounce back from a first-innings duck.
바카라Markram was unbelievable, stats are important but character is what we look at and Aiden has that. Another massive player for us.바카라
Many had questioned South Africa바카라s route to the final, suggesting they reached it by beating weaker teams. Bavuma had a message for the doubters.
바카라There were doubters with the route we took. But we got ourselves into the final and we won. This is for them. I바카라m sure people back home will be celebrating.바카라
This was South Africa바카라s second ICC title in senior-level tournaments, and their first in the World Test Championship. Interestingly, they have batted second in all five of their appearances in ICC finals across both men바카라s and women바카라s formats.
