‘Unfortunately, it was a bridge too far’: Australia skipper Pat Cummins rues loss; South African clinch WTC title | Cricket News – Times of India

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins (proper) (AP Photo)

NEW DELHI: South Africa defeated reigning champions Australia by 5 wickets within the World Test Championship remaining at Lord’s on Saturday, efficiently chasing down a goal of 282 earlier than lunch on the fourth day. Aiden Markram’s very good 136 and captain Temba Bavuma’s 66 led South Africa to victory, whereas Australia’s captain Pat Cummins acknowledged his workforce fell quick regardless of being favoured to win towards a South African aspect with fewer star gamers.Australia initially held a 74-run lead after the primary innings, however could not preserve their benefit as South African quick bowler Kagiso Rabada delivered a formidable efficiency with match figures of 9-110.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Things can change pretty quickly. Unfortunately, it was a bridge too far,” stated Cummins on the publish-match presentation ceremony.Steve Smith’s first-innings rating of 66 stood as the one half-century or higher by an Australian specialist batsman within the match. Smith’s participation within the upcoming first Test towards the West Indies in Barbados on June 25 is now unsure as a consequence of a dislocated finger sustained whereas dropping a slip catch.“We’ve got a couple of weeks before the first Test in the Windies, so we’ll sit down and have a bit of a think,” stated Cummins.“To make these finals, it’s normally off the back of being really strong at home, but you’ve got to win some away series too,” he later added at a publish-match press convention. “So, in some ways, it’s good we get to dust ourselves off and turn around in a couple of weeks and start looking ahead to the next one. That’s one of the good things about the World Test Championship, every Test series and every Test match feels like you’re playing for something significant.“South Africa’s profitable run chase marked the second-highest at Lord’s in Test historical past, behind solely the West Indies’ 344-1 towards England in 1984.“They (South Africa) were fantastic in that fourth innings. There wasn’t a lot in the wicket but they didn’t give us a chance,” stated Cummins.

The match concluded the third version of the World Test Championship, following New Zealand’s victory in 2021 and Australia’s triumph in 2023, with India ending as runners-up in each situations.The championship’s format has confronted criticism as a consequence of nations having the liberty to find out their Test match participation through the two-yr qualifying cycle. South Africa performed simply 12 Tests within the latest cycle, with out dealing with England or Australia, whereas Australia reached the ultimate after profitable 13 out of 19 matches.“They showed why they’re in this final and are deserved champions,” Cummins stated of South Africa.Regarding the format, Cummins jokingly remarked, “I preferred it at the Oval last time,” earlier than including extra significantly, “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.”Australia might must reassess their batting lineup as they start a new World Test Championship cycle, significantly contemplating Marnus Labuschagne’s struggles, who averaged solely 25.63 in Tests through the 2024/25 season and scored simply 17 and 22 at Lord’s after being promoted to opener.