South Africa ended generations of heartache with a stunning win in the World Test Championship Final on Saturday. It was the Proteas’ first ICC title win since the turn of the century having lost 10 knockout games. Bavuma became just the second SA captain to lift a title after Hansie Cronje did it in 1998.
South Africa end 27-year wait for ICC title
The 27 years between South Africa’s two ICC titles is the most in cricket. The Hansie Cronje led Proteas won the 1998 Knockout Trophy but then had to endure a series of heartbreaks. Now, Temba Bavuma and Co ended that barren run with a show of grit and resilience at Lord’s.
The previous biggest gap between 2 titles was with the West Indies, who waited 25 years. The Caribbean side won the 1979 World Cup but their next success only came in 2004 Champions Trophy.
Biggest gap between 2 ICC titles
- South Africa: 27 years
- West Indies: 25 years
- New Zealand: 21 years
- India: 19 years
- Pakistan: 17 years
- Sri Lanka: 12 years
- Australia: 12 years
South Africa found themselves in an extremely comfortable position on Day 4 of the WTC final. Aiden Markram’s hundred and Temba Bavuma’s half-century on Day 3 put the Proteas in the driver’s seat in the run-chase. At the start of play, SA needed just 69 runs to win the Test.
While Australia did push hard on Day 4, South Africa held their nerve and finished the job and ended decades of heartbreak.
