South Africa have broken a 27-year drought by claiming an emphatic five-wicket victory over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s on Saturday.

The Proteas made reasonably light work of the 69 runs they needed to win the mace on the fourth morning in London, with Kyle Verreynne hitting the winning shot to deliver South Africa their first men’s senior ICC trophy since 1998.

South Africa opener Aiden Markram took on the Australia attack and scored a crucial century on Day 3 of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.

Player of the Match Aiden Markram fell late in proceedings with just six runs required, with his innings of 136 proving the difference between two sides in a Test where ball dominated bat for the majority of the contest.

There were only two other hiccups for South Africa on the fourth morning, with skipper Temba Bavuma (66) removed by Australian counterpart Pat Cummins (1/59) in the third over of the day as the Aussies sniffed a potential lifeline and then Mitchell Starc (3/66) pierced the defences of Tristan Stubbs (8) when 41 runs were still required.

Aiden Markram’s superb innings comes to an end as South Africa inch closer to a historic win at Lord’s.

But just like he had done on a crucial third day, Markram stayed composed and waited for the bad ball to dispatch and made batting look relatively easy as South Africa inched towards the victory target.

His demeanour didn’t change when Bavuma and Stubbs departed and his dismissal to Josh Hazlewood (1/58) with the finish line in sight only allowed the opener to soak up the atmosphere and receive a standing ovation from the appreciative Lord’s crowd.

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma overcame pain to score a valiant half-century to put his side on course to a historic win at Lord’s.

While Markram will win plenty of plaudits for his match-winning innings and deservedly so, South Africa received a strong range of contributions from their entire XI and pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada also played a vital role in the triumph with his nine wickets across the two innings.

Both Markram and Rabada played together when South Africa won the ICC Men’s Under 19 Cricket World Cup in 2014 and this victory is just rewards for the pair and a South African team that have had so many close misses in the knockout stages of ICC events in recent times.

Just last year South Africa fell agonisingly short with victory in sight in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against India and there were some nervy moments at Lord’s as the Aussies made a couple of important breakthroughs on Saturday as the target of 282 was slowly diminished.

Australia’s experienced bowling attack was in excellent form for the entire match and it took the innings of Markram’s lifetime to quell them as South Africa broke their lengthy trophy drought in style in the Ultimate Test.

Mitchell Starc delivered a second breakthrough to Australia with a peach of a delivery.

South Africa XI: 1. Aiden Markram, 2. Ryan Rickelton, 3. Wiaan Mulder, 4. Temba Bavuma (c), 5. Tristan Stubbs, 6. David Bedingham, 7. Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Lungi Ngidi

Australia XI: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood

(ICC)

The Order under the Convention Against Doping in Sports Act, scheduled to be taken up for debate in Parliament on June 17 for the purpose of being passed, has received the approval of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports.

This approval was granted at the meeting of the said Committee held today (June 13) at Parliament, chaired by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage. 

Deputy Minister of Sports, Sugath Thilakaratne was also present at this Committee meeting held.

At the meeting, officials stated that, in relation to sports, Sri Lanka is legally updating the relevant regulations through this Gazette notification in accordance with the list published annually by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). It was further pointed out by the officials that certain substances are newly added to the list while some are removed from it. For instance, the substance “Caffeine” has now been removed from the list.

In addition, matters such as the possibility of obtaining the assistance of the Ministry of Sports for inter-university sports competitions, challenges related to establishing youth societies across the island, the shortage of youth service officers, and the need to develop sports including cricket at the rural level were raised by the MPs present at the meeting. Accordingly, the Minister instructed the relevant officials to take prompt action regarding these matters.Members of the Committee, Members of Parliament who are non-member members, and a group of officials including the Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports were present at this committee meeting held.

The ICC announced seven new additions to the ICC Hall of Fame on Monday, with a large group of former greats added as the latest inductees.

ICC Chair Jay Shah welcomed the new members to the Hall of Fame at a gala event at Abbey Road Studios in London.

“Through the ICC Hall of Fame, we pay tribute to the finest players the game has seen, individuals whose remarkable careers have shaped cricket’s legacy and inspired generations,” Shah said.

“This year, we are privileged to induct seven truly outstanding individuals into this prestigious group. On behalf of the ICC, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of them and hope they cherish this well-deserved recognition as a defining moment in their cricketing journey.”

The seven inductees are:

Matthew Hayden

103 Tests – 8,625 runs at an average of 50.73
161 ODIs – 6,133 runs at an average of 43.80
9 T20Is – 308 runs at an average of 51.33

A powerful opening batter who intimidated the best fast bowlers in the world, Matthew Hayden joins an exclusive group in the ICC Hall of Fame.

With a whopping 30 Test centuries and Test average greater than 50, Hayden’s outstanding numbers in the longest format speak for themselves.

The left-hander was just as adept in the 50-over game, with Hayden smashing three centuries alone at the 2007 edition of the ICC men’s Cricket World Cup to finish the tournament as the leading run-scorer.

It was the second of two World Cup titles that Hayden helped Australia win and the burly opener has since turned into a highly respected commentator around the world.

Hayden was thrilled to receive the induction.

“The ICC Hall of Fame includes many of my heroes of yesteryear as well as contemporaries whom I admired and enjoyed competing against,” he said.

“Each of these players gave something to the game in their own way. It is incredible to be recognised along with them.”

Hashim Amla

124 Tests – 9,282 runs at an average of 46.64
181 ODIs – 8,113 runs at an average of 49.46
44 T20Is – 1,277 runs at an average of 33.60

A calm and composed top-order batter, South Africa’s steady head Hashim Amla is a well deserved member of the ICC Hall of Fame.

Amla’s overall record was top class in Test cricket and perhaps even more outstanding in the 50-over format as the underrated right-hander scored bulk runs against every opposition and in all conditions.

With a superb cover drive and a trademark leg-side flick, Amla was a mode of consistency and a reliable member of a powerful South African side that scaled the heights to become the No.1 ranked Test team during his long and distinguished career.

Amla dominated bowling attacks for much of his 15-year international career, becoming the first South African to score a triple century when he hit an unbeaten 311* against England in 2012 when he was at the top of his game.

A total of 55 international centuries shows exactly how good Amla was and the South African great is a welcome inductee into the ICC Hall of Fame.

The South African said it was a great honour to receive the recognition alongside former teammate Graeme Smith.

“It is an honour to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, especially alongside Graeme,” Amla said.

“The Hall of Fame includes some of the most celebrated players in the history of cricket, all of whom have big achievements. Such recognition feels surreal, and I am really thankful.”

MS Dhoni

90 Tests – 4,876 runs at an average of 38.08, 294 dismissals
350 ODIs – 10,773 runs at an average of 50.57, 444 dismissals
98 T20Is – 1,617 runs at an average of 37.60, 91 dismissals

MS Dhoni produced so many highlights throughout his lengthy international career and is a popular inclusion into the ICC Hall of Fame.

His most memorable moment came when he produced one of his trademark helicopter shots when hitting the winning runs for India at the 2011 edition of the ICC Men’s cricket World Cup, but there was so much more to the inspirational skipper.

Dhoni was ahead of his time with the way he kept wickets in all formats, but perhaps excelled most against the white-ball when he was well renowned for his ability to time a run chase to perfection in the dying overs.

The Indian great remains the only captain to win all three ICC white-ball tournaments, having led India to success at the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2007, the 50-over World Cup in 2011 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.

Dhoni said it was a great thrill to be inducted alongside so many great players.

“It is an honour to be named in the ICC Hall of Fame, which recognises the contributions of cricketers across generations and from all over the world,” he said.

“To have your name remembered alongside such all-time greats is a wonderful feeling. It is something that I will cherish forever.”

Graeme Smith

117 Tests – 9,265 runs at an average of 48.25, 8 wickets
197 ODIs – 6,989 runs at an average of 37.98, 18 wickets
33 T20Is – 982 runs at an average of 31.67

A superb opening batter and arguably an even better captain, Graeme Smith is a welcome addition to the ICC Hall of Fame.

Smith forged a great career as a tough and uncompromising top-order batter and was thrust into the captaincy role he relished at the young age of 22.

He excelled in this position in what was a high-class South African side and hit new heights as a batter while captaining the team.

Smith felt great pride in receiving induction into the Hall of Fame.

“It feels amazing to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame alongside some legendary cricketers, all of whom have made significant contributions to the game in their own way,” he said.

“This is also a proud moment for South Africa, as two of us have got recognition this year.”

Daniel Vettori

113 Tests – 4,531 runs at an average of 30.00, 362 wickets
295 ODIs – 2,253 runs at an average of 17.33, 305 wickets
34 T20Is – 205 runs at an average of 12.81, 38 wickets

An outstanding left-arm spin bowler, who was a more than handy middle to lower-order batter, Daniel Vettori joins the ICC Hall of Fame.

Vettori paved out an excellent career as a player and was one of just three players to score 4,000 runs and take 300 wickets in Test cricket.

He was also an excellent captain for the Black Caps, taking over from Stephen Fleming and leading the side to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2009.

Now an assistant coach with the Australian team, Vettori was in London to receive his Hall of Fame induction in person.

“Looking at the past inductees of the ICC Hall of Fame, one can see the outstanding talent and contribution they made to the growth and popularity of the game,” Vettori said.

“To gain recognition alongside them is simply overwhelming and I can’t find words to describe the feeling.”

Sana Mir

120 ODIs – 1,630 runs at an average of 17.91, 151 wickets
106 T20Is – 802 runs at an average of 14.07, 89 wickets

Sana Mir becomes the first Pakistan women to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, following a superb international career.

With more than 200 international wickets against the white-ball, Mir is renowned for her work on the field and off the field.

Mir was well known for her strong stance on body shaming, prioritising mental health and helped people affected by the COVID pandemic and fulfils a childhood dream by joining the ICC Hall of Fame.

“From dreaming as a little girl that one day there would even be a women’s team in our country to now standing here, inducted among the very legends I idolised long before I ever held a bat or a ball – this is a moment I couldn’t have dared to imagine,” she said.

“I am incredibly grateful for this honour and hope to give back to the sport in any way I can. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my teammates, coaches and family for all their support over the years.”

Sarah Taylor

10 Tests – 300 runs at an average of 18.75, 20 dismissals
126 ODIs – 4,056 runs at an average of 38.26, 138 dismissals
90 T20Is – 2,177 runs at an average of 29.02, 74 dismissals

One of the most talented female players in recent times, England’s star keeper-batter Sarah Taylor joins the ICC Hall of Fame following a 14-year career at international level.

While Taylor was renowned for her sensational glovework behind the stumps and her trademark leg-side stumpings, she was also an extremely capable top-order batter and her record in big games gives further indication of this.

Taylor played a major role in helping England win the double of the ICC Women’s cricket World Cup and ICC women’s T20 World Cup in 2009 and then stepped up once again at the backend of the 2017 50-over World Cup triumph on home soil by top-scoring for her side in the semi-final victory over South Africa and then producing an equally important innings of 45 in the title decider with India.

Taylor said it was one of the biggest highlights of her career to receive induction into the Hall of Fame.

“Being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame is one of the best moments of my life and truly feels like a dream come true,” Taylor said.

“Women’s cricket has been thriving in recent years, and receiving this award during such a significant time makes it even more special. I am grateful to the members of the ICC Hall of Fame selection panel for this recognition.”

(ICC)