“Chokers? For what? For who?”
Many South Africans would have probably slipped in these words if they were in Temba Bavuma‘s shoes during his triumphant World Test Championship final press conference after the Proteas defeated the Australians by five wickets to win the coveted mace.
But Bavuma, the larger-than-life leader of the champion Proteas Test team, is not a petty person, even though he and his fellow batsmen were constantly reminded of their past failures to get over the line in their second innings at Lord’s where they had to chase 282 runs to end a long-standing ICC trophy drought.
It’s been 27 long years since the Proteas won Champions Trophy in Pakistan, when Hansie Cronje and his side conquered the cricketing world. It was a victory that was seen as a springboard for future success.
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But in 18 previous attempts in the one-day international and T20 World Cups, South Africa had only reached a solitary final. That was in last year’s T20 World Cup in Barbados, when they lost to India despite needing just 30 runs from their last 30 balls, with six wickets standing.
But on Saturday at Lord’s, South Africa, so often labelled “chokers” for their failure to close out knockout games, held their nerve on Saturday as a largely unheralded side succeeded where star players such as Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis had failed.
Aiden Markram’s magnificent century was the cornerstone of their victory over Australia, ending decades of cricket heartbreak by at last winning another major global title.
“I hope our performance gives credit as to why we were in the final,” said Bavuma, who’s team’s path to the final was criticised, with the Proteas playing just 12 Tests in the WTC cycle and none against England or Australia.
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“Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word ‘choke’. We’ve been etched in history, we’re part of something that has never been done.
“It’s special in a lot of ways … Also, it’s a chance for South Africa to be united.”
Markram, who captained the Proteas in the T20 World Cup final, produced his greatest innings in a South African shirt to get the team over the line. He was certainly trying to keep the emotions in check when talking about the win.
“It is emotional, it’s been a very long time coming,” said Markram, who was named player of the match for his second-innings knock.
“We’ve got close in the past couple of years and not got over the line. The first one is always going to be the toughest.”
Additional reporting by AFP
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