Summary

Media caption,

South Africa's ICC World Test Championship winning moment

  1. Goodbyepublished at 13:35 British Summer Time

    Media caption,

    South Africa's ICC World Test Championship winning moment

    Well, what a rollercoaster.

    Thank you, as ever, for your company over the past three and a half days of riveting, history-making Test cricket.

    If you missed any of today's play, my colleague Timothy Abraham has got you covered with his match report from Lord's and there will be a Test Match Special podcast for you on BBC Sounds later this afternoon.

    We'll be back for the highly-anticipated first Test between England and India next Friday. Join us then!

  2. Postpublished at 13:33 British Summer Time

    Temba Bavuma joins Pat Cummins (2023) and Kane Williamson (2021) as World Test Championship-winning captains.

    The celebrations are ongoing, with players joined by their families on the field and greats of South African cricket share the moment with them.

    Kagiso Rabada takes a phone call, presumably from back home, and this party looks set to carry on for quite some time.

    Check out this tear-jerking interview from Keshav Maharaj, too. That's how much it means.

    Media caption,

    Emotional Maharaj on 'special' South Africa victory

  3. 'It's a fantastic spectacle'published at 13:26 British Summer Time

    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.”

  4. Postpublished at 13:23 British Summer Time

    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.

  5. 'We've been etched into history'published at 13:17 British Summer Time

    Media caption,

    Bavuma reaches half-century against Australia

    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."

  6. Postpublished at 13:12 British Summer Time

    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.

    Media caption,

    South Africa's ICC World Test Championship winning moment

  7. 'The first one is always the toughest'published at 13:09 British Summer Time

    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."

  8. 'Diversity is our strength'published at 13:07 British Summer Time

    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."

  9. Postpublished at 13:04 British Summer Time

    Media caption,

    Best shots from Markram's century against Australia

    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.

  10. 'This is what dreams are made of'published at 13:00 British Summer Time

    Media caption,

    'Gobbled up by the wicketkeeper' - Labuschagne edges behind to Verreynne

    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."

  11. Postpublished at 12:58 British Summer Time

    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.

  12. Postpublished at 12:54 British Summer Time

    South Africa's finest knock in Test cricket?

    Media caption,

    'The sweetest moment of his life' - Markram reaches century against Australia

    Media caption,

    Markram is caught by Head off the bowling of Hazlewood

  13. Postpublished at 12:52 British Summer Time

    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.

  14. Postpublished at 12:49 British Summer Time

    Firdose Moonda
    Cricinfo's South Africa correspondent on Test Match Special

    BavumaImage source, 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.

  15. Postpublished at 12:48 British Summer Time

    Jonathan Agnew
    BBC Chief Cricket Commentator on Test Match Special

    Winning momentImage source, 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.

  16. SOUTH AFRICA WIN THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIPpublished at 12:47 British Summer Time
    Breaking

    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.

    Media caption,

    South Africa's ICC World Test Championship winning moment

  17. SA 281-5published at 83.2 overs

    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.)

  18. Postpublished at 12:43 British Summer Time

    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.

  19. SA 281-5published at 83.1 overs

    Scores level

    Pat Cummins isn't allowing an easy single.

    Kyle Verreynne needs to find a way through.

  20. SA 281-5published at 83 overs

    The scores are level.

    Temba Bavuma has his head in his hands. What a moment.