Simon Burnton

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Simon Burnton

After generations of disappointment and heartbreak South Africa shrugged off the tag that has long haunted them with victory in the World Test Championship at Lord’s. For years they have been smeared as chokers, but no more. “While we were batting we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word: choke,” said Temba Bavuma, the South Africa captain. “We came in with a lot of belief and a lot of doubters. We got ourselves into the final, there were doubters as to the route we took.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Simon Burnton

The third day of the World Test Championship final ended amid raucous scenes among the South Africa fans in the stands but possibly also with popping corks in the Lord’s pavilion as it emerged that England is likely to host the showpiece event for another three cycles.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Simon Burnton

The destiny of the mace may still be in the balance but David Bedingham admitted Australia’s bowlers had already “shown they’re the best in the world” in bowling South Africa out for 138 on the second day of the World Test Championship final. Pat Cummins claimed six wickets to put his team in the ascendancy but on a whirligig day of constantly oscillating fortunes, the Proteas promptly bowled themselves back into contention, with Australia reaching stumps on 144 for eight, nursing a lead of 218.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Simon Burnton

Given there was a certain scepticism about South Africa’s suitability for a place in this final – their spot secured through a run of good results, mostly at home, in short series that notably did not involve either of the two sides ranked a long way ahead of them – perhaps they needed an early marker of excellence, a demonstration of merit. Fortunately they had just the man.

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Simon Burnton

Temba Bavuma said South Africa’s humbling defeat by Australia in their last red-ball meeting was “a critical point in our journey” that transformed the team into World Test Championship finalists. The teams who contest the final that begins at Lord’s on Wednesday last came up against each other in 2022-23, when South Africa were comfortably beaten in the first two games of the series and were on their way to another emphatic defeat in the last before rain in Sydney saved them.