As South Africa’s batsmen closed in on the victory target at Lord’s, an electrifying party atmosphere took over the usually subdued Home of Cricket. The historic moment sparked joy and pride among players and fans alike.
Graeme Smith, now a commentator and former teammate, made his way to the boundary to join in the celebrations. Shaun Pollock stood proudly in the commentary box, while AB de Villiers, ever the outsider, sat in the stands, soaking in every moment with friends and family.
On the field, a new generation of players, not weighed down by the legends of the past, was doing what those giants never achieved finally lifting a major international cricket trophy for South Africa. They had convincingly defeated Australia, turning what once seemed an insurmountable target into a straightforward chase.
Lords erupted as the Proteas edged closer to victory, transforming the historic ground into what felt like the Wanderers, with the crowd roaring in unison. The victory, which seemed distant at lunch on day three, had become a reality by the start of day four.
The mood was briefly tense when captain Temba Bavuma fell in the third over of the final day, causing some in the stands to sweat nervously. Yet, the players in the middle remained unfazed, embodying the resilience that defined this historic win.
South Africa’s team refused to be haunted by their painful past in major tournaments. Despite the Aussies attempting to remind them of their “choking” reputation, the players remained focused and composed.
“While we were batting, we heard the Aussies use those dreaded words: chokers,” Bavuma said in an interview with BBC Test Match Special.
If they had lost eight wickets for less than 68 runs on that final day, it might have gone down as one of the greatest collapses in cricket history. Instead, they turned the narrative around, etching their name into the annals of cricketing greatness.
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