14th June 2025
Source- Hindustan Times
Today, South Africa won the prestigious ICC trophy by beating Australia at the Lord’s, the Mecca of cricket. South Africa won against the defending champions, Australia, by five wickets. They won an ICC trophy after 27 years. This was the third edition of the ICC Men’s World Test Championship.
Australia lost in an ICC tournament final after 15 years. England had won the 2010 men’s World Cup, defeating Australia. After South Africa’s victory, a lot of great legendary players took to social media to congratulate the winning team. Sachin Tendulkar, Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, and Dale Steyn praised the South African team. The South African greats AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith were present at the stadium to cheer their team on.
Markram and Skipper Bavuma Played Key Roles
South Africa chased a steep-looking target of 282 runs with a great match-winning partnership of 147 runs. This was a big partnership, considering South Africa was bundled out for 138 in the first inning.
South African skipper Bavuma played a brave knock of 66 with an injury, and the real match and trophy-winning innings of 135 was played by Aiden Markram. This was the second-highest run chase by any team at Lords, and Markram was declared player of the match. Australia gave them a tough fight throughout the match as they bowled really well, attacking the stumps in the fourth innings.
Man Of The Match – Aiden Markram
Markram was the man of the moment and the man of the match as well. His fighting innings of 135 got him a standing ovation from the crowd, and even Australian players applauded the innings. Markram kept his nerves throughout the innings and also played some classic shorts with 14 hits to boundaries. The South African legend AB de Villiers praised Markram on social media platforms and wrote, “Hats off to Markram for the match-winning century and Tamba for leading with such ice and fire all through.”
South Africa’s hard luck at the ICC trophy finals
South Africa’s record has not been very exciting at the ICC Trophies, although they have played good cricket. In the 1992 World Cup, they were against England in the semi-finals, and rain played the villain for them, so England won the match. In the 1999 World Cup semi-final, South Africa faced Australia in a match that dramatically ended in a tie, and Australia headed to the final.
In the 2015 World Cup, they were beaten by the co-host New Zealand in the semi-finals in a very close match. In 2024, India won the T20 World Cup, beating South Africa in the finals. This time, they won the World Test Championship, beating Australia in the finals.
