Saturday, July 04
Aiden Markram's remarkable 136 led South Africa to a historic five-wicket victory over Australia in the World Test Championship at Lord's, securing their first major ICC trophy since 1998. Markram's match-winning innings and resilience helped the team overcome past failures, especially after the T20 World Cup final defeat.
Yuvraj Singh celebrated South Africa's historic World Test Championship victory over Australia at Lord's, ending their 27-year ICC trophy drought. He lauded Aiden Markram's century and Temba Bavuma's leadership, while playfully teasing the Aussies. South Africa's dominant performance, fueled by Markram's 136 and Bavuma's 66, secured a five-wicket win and their eighth consecutive Test victory.
South Africa's cricket team, led by Temba Bavuma, celebrated a momentous victory at Lord's, a poignant moment for a nation with a complex history. Bavuma's resilient innings, played with an injured hamstring, mirrored Siya Kolisi's leadership in rugby. This triumph transcends sports, echoing Nelson Mandela's use of rugby for unification.
With Ashwin's retirement, Kuldeep Yadav is expected to lead India's spin attack in the upcoming Test series against England. Former spinner Venkatapathy Raju believes Kuldeep could be a surprise weapon, given the favorable weather conditions. Despite Sarfaraz Khan's impressive form, his exclusion from the squad continues, while Raju suggests he waits for his opportunity.
South Africa legend AB de Villiers revealed a temporary fallout with Virat Kohli after prematurely disclosing information about Kohli's personal life in early 2024. De Villiers shared that Kohli ceased communication for months following the blunder, which involved publicly announcing Anushka Sharma's pregnancy. He expressed relief when Kohli eventually resumed contact.
Mitchell Johnson has criticised Josh Hazlewood's choice to play in the IPL instead of preparing for the World Test Championship. Hazlewood's performance in the final was underwhelming. Johnson also raised concerns about the future of Australia's bowling attack. He suggested giving opportunities to younger players in the upcoming West Indies series.
Jake Fraser-McGurk's explosive 88 off 38 balls propelled San Francisco Unicorns to a formidable 219-8. His innings, featuring eleven sixes, ranks second-highest in Major League Cricket. Partnering with Finn Allen (52), Fraser-McGurk's aggressive batting helped Unicorns defeat Los Angeles Knight Riders by 32 runs. The victory moved SF Unicorns to the top of the league table.
Unmukt Chand showcased his talent in the MLC season, scoring a half-century for the Los Angeles Knight Riders. Despite his impressive 53 off 32 balls, the team fell short of the target. Chand, aiming for a spot in the USA cricket team, eyes the IPL 2025 mega-auction after retiring from Indian cricket in 2021.
Ahead of their Test series against England, the Indian cricket team is utilising a non-televised intra-squad match in Beckenham for preparation. Performance analysts from India and India A are employing specialised camera setups to collect crucial match data. This data helps assess player performance and simulate match conditions, ensuring broadcast-quality analysis despite the absence of live television coverage.
South Africa secured their first ICC World Test Championship title in 2023-25 cycle, defeating Australia at Lord's and ending a 27-year trophy drought. Temba Bavuma's leadership and a dominant pace attack spearheaded their campaign, marked by a record-breaking eight-Test winning streak. Their formidable home form and breakthrough away series win in Bangladesh propelled them to the top.
