Temba Bavuma slams Australia for using the ‘dreaded phrase’ in WTC final | Cricket News – Times of India

South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma celebrates with the winner’s trophy after their win in the World Test Championship final in opposition to Australia at Lord’s cricket floor in London, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has known as out Pat Cummins-led Australia for using the “chokers” tag in their second innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s.“While we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word: choke,” Bavuma instructed reporters after the match.“We came in with a lot of belief and a lot of doubters. We got ourselves into the final, and there were doubters as to the route we took. This win squashes that. Here’s an opportunity for us as a nation, divided as we are, to unite.”Bavuma mentioned he hoped profitable the mace for finest Test nation would carry the profile of Test cricket in South Africa, the place no Test matches are scheduled for the upcoming 2025–26 house season.“We want to play more Test cricket,” he mentioned. “We want to play against the bigger nations. So I think this will go a long way in making us a lot more attractive — and also the so-called smaller nations.”Bavuma, the first Black African specialist batsman to play Test cricket for the Proteas, mentioned his facet had been impressed by South Africa’s Springboks, who’ve gained 4 Rugby World Cups — together with the two most up-to-date tournaments.

“This is special for this group, special for myself, for the country,” Bavuma instructed reporters.“I have watched the rugby guys, and the biggest thing I admire about them is the way, with their success, they have embraced what being South African actually means.“As South Africans, we’re distinctive in loads of methods. Our current and future are formed by our previous, and the method they (the Springboks) have gone about issues has actually captured the hearts of everybody. It’s one thing we have spoken about — to attempt to do one thing particular.”The captain said his players wanted to achieve the consistent success of earlier South African Test teams, in particular the sides that held the Test mace for three years between 2013 and 2015, as a result of topping the rankings before the introduction of a Test final.“We’ve mentioned as a group we want to decide ourselves after three or 4 years as a gaggle,” said Bavuma. “We want to emulate what (former captain) Graeme (Smith) and his group did.”