South Africa End Decades Of Heartbreak In Tonic For Test Cricket

Temba Bavuma remained seated on the balcony in the bowels of cricket’s most storied ground as a deafening roar reverberated around Lord’s after South Africa ended the sport’s most wretched curse in the World Test Championship final against Australia.

At 12.45pm under the baking sun in London, fittingly with the gloom that had persisted over the Proteas finally lifted, Kyle Verreynne hit the winning run to end South Africa’s 33-year title drought in major events – bar a triumph in the inconsequential Champions Trophy in 1998 designed purely for dollars by money-hungry administrators.

While those by his side jumped for joy and screamed at the top of their lungs in primal celebrations, South Africa’s skipper simply bowed his head and tried to soak in the moment.

When he rose to his feet after warm embraces with teammates and staff, Bavuma unfurled a defiant fist pump to the sea of giddy South African fans who never thought they would experience ecstasy while following this tortured team.

In the space of a few days, South Africa had finally ended the status as cricket’s saddest cricket nation and they did it in such unlikely circumstances. Unlike many of their previous teams, who always fell short at major events often in the most dire circumstances, this South Africa side was unfashionable.

Apart from spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who lit the fuse with a nine-wicket haul, South Africa was a ragtag bunch, a workman-like team. They were not littered with stars like Australia brimming with legendary players.

Their batting line-up appeared particularly fragile. This was a far cry from the likes of Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers among many others. But Aiden Markram etched his name in lore, producing a brilliant century in the tough chase of 282 in the best ever innings by a South African in Test cricket considering the stakes.

The 30-year-old Markram had for a long time been touted as South Africa’s next big thing. He had all the shots and exquisite timing. But inconsistencies proved a bane and his average hovered at a middling 35.

With South Africa playing less Test cricket due to financial strain that grips all nations bar the wealthy trio of powerhouses, including Australia, Markram was victim of South Africa only essentially playing short Test series.

But he had a knack of stepping up against Australia and he did so once again with an unforgettable effort on day three as South Africa rewrote their perception. He combined brilliantly with Bavuma, who defied injury to fend off Australia with a typically gritty innings as they showed none of the nerves that had suffocated so many of their compatriots in previous years.

It was a fitting triumph for the diminutive Bavuma, South Africa’s first ever permanent black captain, who has been flying Test cricket’s flag for his nation.

As their powerbrokers get seduced by the riches of T20 franchise cricket and as popularity for Test cricket declines among their countrymen, South Africa’s future in the longest and most traditional format has been of major concern.

They were forced to send a shorthanded side to New Zealand last year, leading to widespread criticism from traditionalists that they demeaned Test cricket. South Africa rarely play longer Test series anymore although it’s not entirely their fault with mighty Australia, India and England reluctant to play this seemingly diminishing on-field power.

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Even though South Africa’s triumph will prompt plenty of partying back in the Rainbow Nation and there will be much goodwill over five-day cricket, their Test future is still murky. The newly-minted world champions will not be playing a home Test match in their upcoming home summer, underlining the challenges ahead.

But all of that is for another time. For today will be remembered as South Africa’s greatest and most satisfying cricket victory, one filled with class, courage and character. They merely staggered across the line, but smashed their curse into bits in an emphatic victory over the heavily favored Australia.

Basking as world champions, all that pent up heartbreak and agony now exploded into pure adulation. There was Markram downing alcoholic beverages with beaming fans, while South African players were arm in arm, seemingly in disbelief knowing they had finally removed this hex – not only for themselves but for subsequent generations.

After ICC chair Jay Shah presented the trophy – having not been keen to stick around on stage unlike when India claimed the recent Champions Trophy – Bavuma lifted up the silverware high into the London sky as South Africa erupted into jubilation like never before.