South Africa defeat Australia to win ICC World Test Championship

South Africa defeated defending champions Australia by five wickets at Lord’s to win the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25, securing their first ICC title in 26 years.

The historic victory was powered by a brilliant 136 from opener Aiden Markram, whose calm and determined innings led South Africa to chase down the 282-run target on Day 4 of the final.

South Africa last won an ICC trophy in 1998, when they lifted the inaugural Champions Trophy (then called the KnockOut Trophy).

Resuming the fourth innings at 213/2, with just 69 runs needed for victory, South Africa lost captain Temba Bavuma early in the day. Bavuma added only four more runs to his overnight score before being caught behind for 66 off 134 balls, including five boundaries.

Markram then added a 24-run stand with Tristan Stubbs, who made a cautious 8 from 43 balls before falling to Mitchell Starc.

With the game in the balance, David Bedingham joined Markram at the crease and the pair added a steady 35 runs for the fifth wicket. Markram’s remarkable innings eventually ended when Josh Hazlewood dismissed him with South Africa just six runs short of the target.

Markram finished as the top scorer of the match with a composed 136 off 207 deliveries, featuring 14 boundaries. He was instrumental in anchoring the run chase and setting up the victory.

Bedingham, along with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, guided South Africa across the finish line without further trouble.

Earlier, Australia had been bowled out for 207 in their second innings, with Mitchell Starc scoring a fighting 58 not out to help set a competitive target. Starc was also Australia’s highest scorer in the second innings.

In the first innings, Australia posted 212, thanks to Beau Webster’s 72 and Steve Smith’s 66. South Africa, however, struggled in reply, managing only 138, with David Bedingham top scoring with 45.

South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada starred with the ball, taking a five-wicket haul, while Marco Jansen added three important wickets. For Australia, captain Pat Cummins was outstanding with six wickets, and Starc took two.

But in the end, South Africa’s strong fourth-innings effort—led by Markram’s century and key partnerships—delivered a long-awaited triumph and crowned them World Test Champions for the first time in history.