New Delhi: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma exposed Australia’s sledging tactics following his side’s victory in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Saturday. South Africa defeated defending champions Australia by five wickets in the final to clinch their maiden WTC title, ending a 27-year-long wait for a major ICC trophy.
After Aiden Markram’s sublime ton and Bavuma’s gritty half-century put them on the cusp of a victory by the end of Day 3, South Africa made no errors on Day 4 as they cruised to a thumping win in the first session at a packed Lord’s. Markram finished with a brilliant 136, while Bavuma played his part with a valuable knock of 66 runs.
With only 69 runs needed on Day 4, South Africa lost Bavuma early, but Markram steered them to victory by staying on the crease nearly till the end. With the memorable win, South Africa successfully shunned the ‘chokers’ tag as they tasted their first major success since winning the maiden edition of the Champions Trophy (then ICC knockouts) in 1998.
Speaking after the final, Bavuma revealed, an Aussie player used the ‘choker’ word to sledge him and Markram while they were batting at Lord’s on Day 4. The South Africa skipper revealed an Australian player also said that South Africa might fall short again, and lose all their 8 wickets despite needing just 69 runs in the 282-run chase in their second innings.
“Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, choke,” South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma told BBC Test Match Special.
“The tag of us being chokers, that came about this morning. One of their players threw out the fact we could still get bowled out … I definitely heard that,” he added.
However, Bavuma, who played a fabulous knock for his team under pressure in the final and was excellent as captain throughout South Africa’s campaign in the WTC 2023-25, said he was glad to be part of history, having finally taken the Proteas over the line in a major final. The South Africa skipper said he and his team are now part of something that has not been achieved by the country in the past.
“It’s been years since we’ve overcome a final, we’ve been etched in history. Now we’re part of something that has never been done,” said Bavuma.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma revealed Australia used the ‘choke’ word to sledge the Proteas during Day 4 of the WTC 2023-25 final on Saturday. South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets in the final to win their maiden title. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
