Lord’s 2025: The Day South Africa Made Cricket History

The 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final at Lord’s Cricket Ground, one of the most iconic cricket stadiums in the world, will forever be etched in the annals of cricket history. South Africa, the Proteas, ended a 27-year ICC trophy drought by defeating Australia by five wickets in a thrilling chase, clinching their first-ever WTC title. This blog post provides a detailed day-by-day recap of the match, capturing the drama, key performances, and fan reactions that made this cricket tournament a historic spectacle. From South Africa’s shaky start to their triumphant finish, here’s how the Proteas made history at the Home of Cricket.

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Day 1: South Africa’s Bowlers Shine, Batting Stumbles

The WTC 2025 Final began on June 11, 2025, with South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma winning the toss and electing to bowl first on a Lord’s pitch known for offering a fair contest between bat and ball. This decision set the tone for a gripping cricket tournament.

Key Moments

• Kagiso Rabada’s Masterclass: South Africa’s pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada was the standout performer, ripping through Australia’s batting lineup with a magnificent five-wicket haul (5/62), his 17th in Test cricket. His express pace and pinpoint accuracy dismissed Australia for a modest 212, with Steve Smith (54) and Beau Webster (52) providing resistance.

• South Africa’s Batting Woes: The Proteas’ response was shaky, collapsing to 43/4 by stumps. Pat Cummins, Australia’s captain, bowled with venom, exploiting the conditions to unsettle the top order. Aiden Markram fell for a duck, a moment that would later contrast sharply with his heroics.

• Fan Reactions: Posts on X reflected early concern among South African fans, with many praising Rabada’s fiery spell but worrying about the batting collapse. One user tweeted, “Rabada is a beast, but 43/4? We need a miracle at Lord’s!”

Statistical Highlight: Rabada’s 5/62 included his 327th Test wicket, placing him among South Africa’s all-time greats. His average at Lord’s (19.38) underscored his dominance at the venue.

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Day 2: Cummins’ Fire and Australia’s Lead

Day 2 was a rollercoaster, with both teams trading blows in a low-scoring, intense battle. Australia extended their lead, but South Africa’s bowlers kept them in the game.

Key Moments

• Pat Cummins’ 6/28: Cummins delivered one of the finest bowling performances of his career, tearing through South Africa’s batting with figures of 6/28. Temba Bavuma (28) showed brief resilience, but the Proteas were bowled out for 138, giving Australia a 74-run lead. Cummins became the first captain since Bob Willis (1982) to take a five-wicket haul at Lord’s.

• Australia’s Second Innings: South Africa’s bowlers, led by Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder, fought back. Australia reached 144/8 by stumps, extending their lead to 218 runs. Ngidi’s dismissal of Beau Webster (9) via LBW was a turning point, though Australia remained in control.

• Fan Sentiment: Fans on X were in awe of Cummins’ spell, with one post reading, “Cummins is unplayable! South Africa in trouble at Lord’s.” However, optimism persisted among Proteas supporters, who believed their bowlers could keep the target chaseable.

Statistical Highlight: South Africa’s first innings total of 138 was their lowest in a WTC final, highlighting the challenge of facing Australia’s pace attack led by Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.

Day 3: Markram and Bavuma Turn the Tide

Day 3 saw South Africa seize control, thanks to an unbroken 143-run partnership between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. The Lord’s crowd, including South African legend AB de Villiers, witnessed a masterclass in resilience.

Key Moments

• Australia Bowled Out for 207: South Africa’s bowlers wrapped up Australia’s second innings early on Day 3, setting a target of 282. Rabada added four more wickets to finish with 9 in the match, a career-defining performance.

• Markram’s Redemption: After his first-innings duck, Aiden Markram played a sublime, unbeaten 102* (159 balls) by stumps, guiding South Africa to 213/2. His century was a blend of patience and aggression, earning a standing ovation from the Lord’s crowd.

• Bavuma’s Grit: Captain Temba Bavuma, battling injury, scored an unbeaten 65*, anchoring the chase. Their partnership left South Africa needing just 69 runs to win with eight wickets in hand.

• Fan Reactions: The cricketing world erupted on X, with fans lauding Markram’s ton. One post read, “Markram’s 100 at Lord’s is pure class! South Africa are on the brink of history!” Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar called it “the magic of Test cricket.”

Statistical Highlight: The target of 282 was the joint second-highest successful fourth-innings chase at Lord’s, with only four teams having chased over 200 successfully at the venue.

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Day 4: History Made at the Home of Cricket

On June 14, 2025, South Africa completed their historic chase, defeating Australia by five wickets to lift the WTC 2025 title. The Lord’s crowd erupted as the Proteas ended their 27-year ICC trophy drought.

Key Moments

• Markram’s Heroics: Markram continued his masterclass, finishing on 136 before falling with just six runs needed. His innings was the backbone of the chase, earning him the Player of the Match award.

• Bavuma’s Resilience: Bavuma’s 66, despite physical discomfort, was crucial. His leadership and composure under pressure silenced the “chokers” label that had haunted South Africa for decades.

• The Winning Moment: Kyle Verreynne hit the winning runs, sparking joyous scenes in the South African dressing room. Keshav Maharaj, a key squad member, summed up the emotion: “Un-freaking-believable. This is for every South African fan who believed in us.”

• Fan and Legend Reactions: The Lord’s crowd gave a standing ovation, and posts on X captured global elation. @ICC tweeted, “Plenty of emotions on display at Lord’s as South Africa seal the #WTC25 Final win 😍.” South African fans celebrated the end of a 27-year wait since their 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy win.

Statistical Highlight: South Africa’s chase of 282 was a landmark achievement, joining an elite list of successful run chases at Lord’s. Markram and Rabada, who played together in the 2014 U-19 World Cup win, were instrumental in this triumph.

Why This Victory Matters

South Africa’s WTC 2025 victory was more than a sporting triumph; it was a redemption arc for a team long labeled as “chokers.” The Proteas’ commanding journey to the final, topping the WTC standings with a 69.44% points percentage, showcased their depth and belief. This win, under Temba Bavuma’s leadership, could usher in a golden era for South African cricket, with stars like Rabada, Markram, and Marco Jansen coming into their own.

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