South Africa’s cricket team has finally laid to rest the notorious ‘chokers’ label, thanks to pivotal performances by Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. Playing at Lord’s, the duo guided South Africa to their first world title, overcoming Australia’s attempts to unsettle them right to the end.
As Markram and Bavuma set out on the fourth day, needing just 69 runs to win, the Australian side were keen to remind them that victory wasn’t yet secure. Bavuma reflected on the experience, noting the change in the Australians’ approach over recent years, especially since the contentious 2018 series.
“Playing against Australia is a bit different in the last couple of years,” Bavuma said. “They’re not as vocal out on the field. They’re still aggressive through their body language and their skill, but there’s not a lot of chatter.” He mentioned a specific comment made by an opposing player, insinuating that South Africa could lose their eight remaining wickets for less than 60 runs.
In response to the pressure, Markram and Bavuma focused on staying calm and collected at the crease. “Aiden kept using the words ‘lock in’ after every over, let’s keep locking in. Let’s give them nothing,” Bavuma shared.
Despite a couple of minor hiccups, such as Bavuma edging Pat Cummins and Stubbs being bowled by Mitchell Starc, Markram’s stellar innings brought South Africa close to their target. Even as Australia managed to use the second new ball, Markram confidently struck the first delivery for a boundary through midwicket.
Reflecting on the match, Markram expressed relief at putting the ‘chokers’ tag behind them. “It would be great to not have to hear it again, that’s for sure,” he said. “To have got the job done and to literally have got the job done and to get rid of that is quite a big thing for this team.”
Australian captain Pat Cummins was gracious in acknowledging South Africa’s triumph and praised Markram’s innings. Cummins remarked, “A few of us have played alongside him as well in IPL and [he’s] very well respected. He’s a good man, Aidan. Unfortunately for us, he kind of made it look pretty easy out there.”
The victory marks a significant milestone for South Africa, showcasing their strength and resilience on the world stage. As the team celebrates this momentous achievement, the hope is that the ‘chokers’ narrative is now a thing of the past.
