Australia
captain Pat Cummins at the post-match presentation: “Things can change pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it
was a bridge too far.”
On what
Australia could have done differently: “Having a decent first innings lead, that’s
where you want to bat the opposition out of the game. If we bat another session,
the conditions can help us a little bit more. They were fantastic in that
fourth innings. There wasn’t a lot in the wicket but they didn’t give us a
chance.”
On whether
the conditions or their top-seven’s batting hurt them: “It’s been a wonderful two years. The guys
have performed really well to get us here. It didn’t come together this game.
For the first two days, the bowlers were fantastic. Maybe a little bit of both.”
On South
Africa: “They showed
why they’re in this final and deserved champions. All facets on all four days,
they kept themselves in the game. When they got a sniff, they took a few
wicket. They were fantastic.”
On the
World Test Championship format: “I preferred it at The Oval last time [when Australia beat
India in 2023]. It’s fantastic. It’s the pinnacle. I love Test cricket. It’s
something you build towards for two years, it’s a huge achievement to make the
final, and then a one-game shootout, I think it’s a fantastic spectacle.”
Huge cheers as Temba Bavuma and South Africa lift the mace, as the players dance and jump on the stage before passing the trophy around.
The fans join in from the crowd as the sun shines down on the new World Test champions at Lord’s.
South Africa player Temba Bavuma on Test Match Special: “This is what we wanted to do, we planned for it, prepped for it and put in the work. We’re happy we could take it away. I hope our performance gives credit to why we were in the final.
“I went against the advice of the coaches [to keep batting], they thought the wiser decision was to let someone else in who could run properly. But I thought it was important I stayed out here, me and Aiden went out there and put up a total. It could’ve gone the other way and I could’ve been criticised but we’re here now.
“Look at the crowd, it feels like a home game. Past guys, they had the opportunities but didn’t have the chance to do what we did. We hope we can inspire other guys to go and collect some silverware.
“Whilst we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, choke. It’s been years since we’ve overcome a final, 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. We’ve got a cause where we can put aside out differences and enjoy. We just have to embrace it.”
South Africa’s players are eagerly awaiting their moment to collect the World Test mace, which looks like a a very heavy, very big lollipop as Stuart Broad carries it to the presentation table.
While we wait, here’s their winning moment.
Player of the match, Aiden Markram on BBC Test Match Special: “It is emotional, it’s been a very long time coming. 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.
“The guys have been working really hard but it never really feels like it until you’ve won it, so the guys are emotional.
“Australia are quite a tough team, we fell behind and were put under a lot of pressure but we were able to adapt and finish the game.
“It’s very special: growing up, Lord’s was the one venue I wanted to play at. To do it at a final and win is something really special.
“It will rank up there as number one, my Test career has been hard going, very stop-start. To get a hundred has been great to help the team.”
South Africa player Keshav Maharaj on Test Match Special: “We’ve come a long way as a team, as a country. We always say we want to be good people and play good. We’re moving in the right direction as a cricketing nation.
“After 25 years of pain to finally get over the line is super emotional. We’re so grateful to have Temba to get us over the line.
“Diversity is our strength so to see the crowd, they stand for the meaning of our rainbow nation. To lift the trophy is going to unite the nation even more.”
It’s been a gripping Test match filled with plenty of memorable individual performances.
Kagiso Rabada’s first-innings five-for, Pat Cummins’ 6-28, but unsurprisingly it’s Aiden Markram who is crowned player of the match for his match-winning 136 in South Africa’s chase of 282.
We’ll hear from him shortly.
South Africa bowler Marco Jansen on Sky Sports: “I don’t know what to say. I was sitting there praying and luckily we got the job done.
“In the changing rooms there were a lot of nerves, a lot of guys quiet. To hear the fans cheer every ball, every run, you can’t ask for anything more.
“I think that’s what dreams are made of. Dreams are meant to be achieved. We’re going to celebrate really well now.”
On Aiden Markram: “Unbelievable. What a guy to have in the team. What a fighter.”
Keshav Maharaj is crying his way through his post-match interview.
This is too much.
There is always so much pressure and expectation for South Africa, that sentiment we often hear of playing for an entire nation, for joy and for unity, but you can see just how much it means now that has finally been achieved.
Their place in this final has also attracted some criticism considering the teams they played to get here, but Australia were the favourites so that is a stunning performance.
South Africa’s finest knock in Test cricket?
David Bedingham is grinning from ear to ear while Kyle Verreynne is close to tears.
Temba Bavuma looks like he can’t quite believe it yet.
Stay with us for all the post-match reaction – I’m sure it’ll be emotional.
Firdose Moonda
Cricinfo’s South Africa correspondent on Test Match Special
Getty Images
This is unbelievable, a lot of us didn’t think we’d see this day. This is for everyone. For this group of players that people didn’t think could do it.
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special
Getty Images
After 25 years of hurt they’ve done it. They have beaten one of the best teams in the world and all that talk can go.
After years of pain, of falling at the final hurdle, of thinking it would never come – South Africa have their moment!
Kyle Verreynne whacks one through the covers and raises his arms to the sky in joy.
Set up by Markram and Bavuma, that is a stunning victory against the odds.
Ha!
Verreynne tries to win it in style with a ramp over the keeper, but misses.
Alex Carey appeals confidently and replays show there was a spike from the glove! Maybe don’t use up all your reviews in an hour next time, lads.
(There’s one run needed, it would literally make no difference… but it’s still funny.)
Firdose Moonda
Cricinfo’s South Africa correspondent on Test Match Special
I like that Australia have really pushed South Africa and made them work for this win.
Pat Cummins isn’t allowing an easy single.
Kyle Verreynne needs to find a way through.
The scores are level.
Temba Bavuma has his head in his hands. What a moment.
Two dots.
Graeme Smith is lurking on the boundary edge, Shaun Pollock is pacing around the commentary box, AB de Villiers looks far more relaxed from the stands.
History awaits for South Africa.
Pat Cummins brings the field up.
