South Africa emerged victorious in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, defeating Australia by 5 wickets and clinching their first ICC title in 27 years. This win simultaneously ended Australia’s streak of winning every ICC final they participated in, which had lasted for 15 years. The last time Australia lost an ICC final was against England in the 2010 T20 World Cup.
Australia’s past defeats in ICC finals include losses to the West Indies (1975 World Cup), Sri Lanka (1996 World Cup), and England (2010 T20 World Cup). Key performances in the WTC final came from Aiden Markram, who scored a century, and Kagiso Rabada, who took crucial wickets. Markram’s 136-run innings was a highlight, making him the first South African to achieve a century in an ICC final. Rabada’s bowling, with 5 wickets in the first innings and 4 in the second, played a significant role.
The match was defined by Markram and Rabada’s outstanding performances. South Africa’s win not only celebrated their long-awaited ICC trophy but also marked the end of Australia’s remarkable winning streak in ICC finals.