Latest news with #WTCFinal
India Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- India Today
WI vs AUS 1st Test: Marnus Labuschagne dropped, Steve Smith out with injury
Australia have dropped Marnus Labuschagne for the opening Test against the West Indies in Barbados, starting on 25 June, while Steve Smith has been ruled out with a finger injury sustained during the World Test Championship Final at Lord's. In a significant shake-up to the batting line-up, Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis have been drafted in to replace the underperforming Labuschagne and the injured who opened the batting in the recent World Test Championship final, managed scores of 17 and 22 in a losing cause against South Africa. His prolonged dip in form-averaging just 16.25 in four Tests this year—has led to his omission from the side."Marnus at his best can be a really important member of this team. He understands his output hasn't been at the level we, or he, expects," Selection chair George Bailey said in a statement. "We will continue working with him on the areas of his game we feel he needs to rediscover. We continue to value his skill and expect him to work through the challenge positively." Smith, meanwhile, suffered a dislocated finger while fielding at Lord's. Although the former captain has travelled with the squad to the Caribbean, he has been advised to wear a splint for up to eight weeks and will be reassessed ahead of the second Test in needs more time for the wound to heal so we'll give him another week's rest and assess his functionality after that," Bailey said. "We have made the decision to give Josh and Sam the opportunity to replace Steve and Marnus. We are excited to see them get the chance to further their fledgling Test careers."Konstas impressed on debut against India in the Boxing Day Test last year and is expected to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order. Inglis, who scored a debut century in Sri Lanka earlier this year, is likely to slot into the middle order in Smith's absence. However, Cricket Australia has said the final batting order will be confirmed closer to the first Test in Barbados will be followed by matches in Grenada and Jamaica, with Australia aiming to bounce back strongly after their WTC Final Watch
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad: There's so more to come from this Test team
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad enjoys the moment upon arrival at OR Tambo Airport on Wednesday. Photo: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Image: ITUMELENG ENGLISH Independent Media Proteas coach Shukri Conrad feels that that there is more that the Test team have to offer, despite despite their brilliant performance at Lord's last week to clinch the World Test Championship crown. South Africa beat Australia by five wickets, a team currently ranked No 1 in the world in the ICC rankings. Fans flocked to OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday to welcome the Proteas Test team after a successful trip to the United Kingdom, where they broke the country's 27-year trophy drought. However, upon the Test team's arrival in Johannesburg on Wednesday from London, Conrad reiterated his belief that the world is yet to see the full potential of his team. 'We won comfortably in the end, and I still don't think we played as well as we can play. I mean, Aiden's (Markram) probably played his best Test knock. I don't think South Africa's seen a better Test innings. KG (Ngidi), Lungi (Ngidi), all of these,' Conrad said. 'I can name the guys that have performed in this Test match, but there's so much else sitting in this change-room that scares me. 'It excites me at the same time as to where we can go with this group. 'I'm really looking forward to the next couple of years.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The Home of South African Cricket📍🏢 Our ICC World Test Champions arriving at the Cricket South Africa Head Office following their historic conquest of the World Test Championship 🏆🔥. #WTCFinal #ProteasWTCFinal #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 18, 2025 One of the key elements of this Test team that has played a key role in the side bringing the ICC mace back home is the trust that they have in each other. From the coach Conrad to the captain Temba Bavuma and the rest of the team, there is belief and backing that every individual is capable of getting the job done when called upon. Conrad highlighted that not a lot was said when SA were bowled out for 138 in the first innings or in any instance where the team had their backs against the wall, which could be attributed to the responsibility placed in every individual in the team. Moreover, just as at Lord's last week, different players stood out and made significant contributions throughout the two-year cycle leading up to the final. A triumphant reception awaited the Proteas at O.R. Tambo International Airport, where crowds gathered to give the national team a hero's welcome after they were victorious at the World Test Championship. 📷: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers#Proteas #cricket… — IOL News (@IOL) June 18, 2025 'I think we knew we were behind, but again, the hallmark of this team is the ability to stand up, and different guys can stand up when the occasion demands,' the SA coach said. 'When you need your Rolls-Royce to come purring down the street, then he does that, and I'm talking about Kagiso Rabada. There was no talk. 'But even before then, a nine-over spell, I've never seen Lungi bowl as much as that in his life. 'But that spell of Lungi (where he took 3/35, including the big scalp of Steve Smith) pretty much turned over the Test match in our favour. 'The world's best batsman (Smith), he stood between us chasing 280 and maybe 380, and Lungi's spell, again, on the back of criticism and all of these things... 'Our guys just know when to stand up, and this is the hallmark of this team. Different guys do it when it is required of everybody.' Although some of the stalwarts such as Rabada will be rested, the Proteas are back in action soon in a two-Test away series in Zimbabwe. The first clash starts on June 28 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Cringe video of Indian cricket boss roasted by Aussie fans
Well that was weird. Cricket fans have been left scratching their heads at a 45-second clip released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following South Africa's win over Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. South Africa defeated Australia by five wickets at Lord's last week to win the WTC mace as Aiden Markram's century in the second innings proving pivotal as the Proteas chased 282 to win. The ICC, world cricket's governing body, posted a 45-second clip on its official social media channels that has gone viral and elicited chuckles for a bizarre reason. In the slow-mo clip, which you can watch below, new ICC chairman Jay Shah is very much the star of the show, featuring in 11 of the 23 frames in the video. Shots of the Proteas celebrating on the Lord's balcony and lifting the trophy are interspersed with shots of Shah watching on in the stands and congratulating South Africa's players as they lifted the WTC mace. Shah, the 36-year-old son of Indian's Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, became ICC president in December, taking over from New Zealand's Greg Barclay. India were defeated by New Zealand in the inaugural WTC final before losing to Australia in the 2023 final, so cricket fans were bemused by the Indian cricket boss getting far more screen time than the actual players in the harmless social clip. Leading cricket writer Gideon Haigh wrote for Cricket. et al: 'Sick bag at the ready? I may just have just seen the worst thing ever. Or maybe it was this. The cumulative message is hard to miss. 'You may have imagined that the World Test Championship final was a soul-stirring triumph for South Africa, a memento mori for Australia, a testament to the red ball cricket's timeless appeal, or whatever. 'But the ICC has news: it was all just a Trumpesque parade for ICC chairman Jay Shah, whose personal videographer was on hand to capture him receiving homage in Peckinpahesque slow motion.' Cricket broadcaster Paul Dennett chuckled: 'This is the weirdest thing I've ever seen. He's everywhere in the video. The ICC has jumped the shark.' Adding to the intrigue was the fact the ICC deleted the original video, then reuploaded the clip simply to tag the correct Cricket Australia account. Cricket reporter Andrew Wu wrote on X: 'If you blink at the wrong time, you'll miss the only shot of Pat Cummins. Jay Shah on the other hand… 'Great to see the ICC got rid of the original post that featured Jay Shah in 11 of the 23 frames. Would've been crazy to let an administrator overshadow what happened on the field. Oh wait …' Shah will be keeping an eye on India's five Test series against India that kicks off at Headingley on Friday. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has asked the BCCI not to be considered for the captaincy for the series, with Shubman Gill likely to take over following the retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. 'I called the BCCI and said I don't want to be looked at in a leadership role because I won't be able to give all the Test matches in a five-Test match series.' Bumrah left the SCG Test against Australia in January with back spasms, cruelling India's hopes of levelling the series and retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
South Africa receive huge welcome home after first ICC win in 27 years: 'Haven't seen people like that at airport before'
South Africa returned home to a grand welcome after winning the 2023-25 WTC final, which ended a 27-year ICC trophy drought. South Africa defeated Australia by 5 wickets to lift their first ICC title since 1998. read more The South African cricket team returned home to a hero's welcome on Wednesday morning after winning the 2023-25 edition of the World Test Championship (WTC). This is their first ICC title in 27 years, and hence the celebrations. The team landed at Johannesburg airport, where they were greeted by a massive crowd of fans, including South Africa's sports minister and CSA officials. South Africa receive hero's welcome This emotional reception came just four days after their historic five-wicket win over Australia in the WTC final at Lord's, London. It was a moment the South African team and their fans had been waiting for since they last lifted an ICC title in 1998, which was the Champions Trophy. The Temba Bavuma-led side was seen wearing their new 'Champions' t-shirts when they landed home. A Hero's Welcome! 🇿🇦🏆 Minister Gayton McKenzie rolled out the carpet as our ICC World Test Champions touched down on home soil today! 💚 A proud moment for the nation as the Proteas return with the mace and history made at Lord's! 🏆#WTCFinal #ProteasWTCFinal #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 18, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The team went to Cricket South Africa's head office after their reception at the airport. Speaking at a press conference, Bavuma said he was overwhelmed by the love and support from everyone back home. Bavuma admitted that he had never seen so many people coming to cheer for the team at the airport before. 'It is quite overwhelming. We haven't seen people like that at the airport before. As players, you don't really realise what you've done but when you start to interact with people and see the emotion, it gives you a proper insight into what we've done. We are proud as a team but we are even more happy and proud that we've made our people proud,' Bavuma said. Bavuma also spoke about how the team achieved their victory in the South African way. 'If you look at this team and the guys at the helm, we have done it the proper South African way. That's unique to this group. We have embraced everything that it means to be South African,' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Home of South African Cricket📍🏢 Our ICC World Test Champions arriving at the Cricket South Africa Head Office following their historic conquest of the World Test Championship 🏆🔥. #WTCFinal #ProteasWTCFinal #WozaNawe — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 18, 2025 South Africa create history South Africa relied on teamwork throughout their World Test Championship cycle. They had nine different players who won Player of the Match awards between 2023 and 2025, and 15 players either scored a century or took five wickets. In the final against Australia, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, and David Bedingham contributed with the bat after Kagiso Rabada-led bowling attack did their job with the ball. South Africa's long wait for an ICC trophy had become a painful tale, with heartbreaking losses in many key matches over the years, including the 1999 ODI World Cup semi-final and the 2024 T20 World Cup final. However, Bavuma and his men have finally rewritten the history books for the Proteas.
India Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Watch: WTC winners South Africa get heroes' welcome as Temba Bavuma leads homecoming
South Africa's long wait for global cricketing glory finally ended, and the celebrations back home reflected the magnitude of the moment. The Proteas returned to Johannesburg to a thunderous heroes' welcome after their triumph in the ICC World Test Championship Final, led proudly by captain Temba Bavuma. Thousands of jubilant fans gathered at the main airport to honour a side that not only lifted the coveted Test mace but also put to rest years of heartbreak on the world had been 27 years since South Africa last claimed an ICC trophy — the 1998 Champions Trophy — and the weight of that drought was finally lifted with a gritty win over Australia in the WTC Final at Lord's. The victory not only ended their "chokers" tag but also marked a new era in South African cricket under Bavuma's captaincy and under coach Shukri Conrad. Watch the video:The Proteas are given a hereos welcome at the OR TAMBO International airport following their triumph at the #WTC2O25Final Shazi (@NkosinathiShazi) June 18, 2025As Bavuma stepped out of the arrival gates, holding the WTC Mace like a prized medal, the crowd erupted into chants, songs, and flag-waving. The captain was joined by coach Conrad, both visibly moved by the reception. One by one, the players followed — some draped in national flags, others waving and greeting supporters — each carrying bouquets, signing autographs, and sharing warm embraces with Proteas have arrived in South Africa SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) June 18, 2025advertisement For South Africa, this win wasn't just a cricketing milestone. It signalled a cultural shift for Test cricket in a country where interest in the format had waned in recent years. Several former cricketers have repeatedly voiced concern over the declining enthusiasm for red-ball cricket, especially among younger players and fans. But this moment — this victory — could change that trajectory. A Test title on the world stage has the power to inspire a new generation of cricketers to choose the long-form game and engage a fanbase more deeply with the vs AUS, WTC Final: As it happenedThe win at Lord's was built on moments of redemption and resilience. Aiden Markram, dismissed for a duck in the first innings, delivered a career-defining knock in the second — a majestic 136 under immense pressure. His innings was the backbone of South Africa's historic run chase, made even more impressive by the threat posed by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who constantly challenged the batters. Captain Temba Bavuma, despite nursing a hamstring injury, led from the front with a crucial 66, stabilising the innings when it mattered Rabada was South Africa's enforcer with the ball, claiming nine wickets across the match and breaking Australia's batting a record 282, the Proteas showed poise and belief. They absorbed pressure, countered Australia's firepower, and seized key moments to complete a memorable five-wicket Watch
