South Africa has finally broken their 27-year-long ICC trophy drought, defeating Australia in a thrilling WTC Final at Lord's. The victory sparked an outpouring of emotion and tributes from cricketing legends, including Dale Steyn and Sachin Tendulkar, who acknowledged the significance of the moment for South African cricket.
The Proteas' journey to the title was marked by resilience and determination. After being dismissed for a modest 138 in their first innings, they fought back, led by a magnificent century from Aiden Markram (136) and a composed half-century from captain Temba Bavuma (66) in the second innings, chasing down a target of 282 to win by 5 wickets. Kagiso Rabada's stellar performance with the ball, claiming nine wickets across both innings, was also instrumental in restricting Australia's batting lineup.
Dale Steyn, the former South African fast bowler, expressed his joy with a simple yet emphatic "HOME!!!!!". Steyn had earlier in the match criticized Australia's conservative approach on Day 3, noting that it allowed South Africa to build momentum. Sachin Tendulkar praised South Africa's ability to find "calm in the storm," highlighting Markram's composure and Bavuma's resilience under pressure. He described Markram's century as one that "will be remembered" and a partnership that "turned hope into history."
Temba Bavuma's reaction after the win went viral, with many noticing his stoic expression before congratulating his teammates. Bavuma spoke about the incredible support the team received, saying, "It has been a special couple of days. Felt like we were back home in South Africa with the support we have had." He also lauded Kagiso Rabada, saying that he is going to go up in the ICC Hall of Fame.
Aiden Markram, named Player of the Match, played down his heroics, saying, "Weird how things work out, you get a duck. Ultimately, you get lucky, and it worked out. 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." Markram also acknowledged Bavuma's contribution, stating, "Lot of it came from him (Bavuma), 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."
The victory was especially sweet for South Africa, who have often been labeled as "chokers" in ICC tournaments. This win marks only their second major ICC title, with the first one being the ICC KnockOut Trophy (now Champions Trophy) in 1998.
Former players and fans around the world joined in celebrating South Africa's historic win. Shoaib Akhtar congratulated the South African team and captain Temba Bavuma for creating history at Lord's. Ian Bishop lauded Markram's "phenomenally responsible, nerveless 4th innings century." AB de Villiers, who witnessed the match from the stands, also shared his excitement on social media.
The WTC Final victory is expected to have a significant impact on South African cricket, inspiring a new generation of players and instilling a sense of belief in the team's ability to compete at the highest level. It's a moment that will be etched in the memories of South African cricket fans for years to come, signifying the end of a long wait and the beginning of a new chapter.
