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On the opposite end, one of the most experienced batters of the Proteas squad, Aiden Markram, is hooked to the demanding nature of the format. “I love Test cricket because it’s the ultimate test of a batsman’s game. Long periods of time, concentration levels and obviously the batting skills to go with it to perform, so that’s what I enjoy the most about it.” David Bedingham, who made his Test debut in the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle, and has 12 appearances to his name, finds his love for the format rooted in its all-round demands. “I love Test…
Turning the tide as a leader Despite all the success at home, including series wins against India and Pakistan in 2006/07, South Africa had not regained their Test potency of the late 90s. While Smith’s team shone bright at the 2007 Cricket World Cup and the inaugural ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which they also hosted, the Proteas ultimately flattered to deceive. However, it was towards the end of this year that South Africa got a second wind under Smith. Souring the farewell of Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Proteas showed great determination in Pakistan to win both the Test and ODI series…
Former England captains and leading cricket voices Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain discuss and debate the biggest topics in the sport on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast.Now Sky commentators and cricket experts, Nas and Ath follow the great game in all its formats each week to dissect the latest news and talking points.Hear the best analysis from international and domestic cricket, with the pair regularly joined by some of the biggest names in the sport. Use the links below to listen and subscribe on your podcast platform of choice. Sky Sports Cricket Podcast – latest episodes Spreaker This content is…
Hashim Amla 124 Tests – 9,282 runs at an average of 46.64181 ODIs – 8,113 runs at an average of 49.4644 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…
Reigning champions Australia face South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, starting on Wednesday. We look at three key contests that could determine the course of the showpiece game: Tough times loom for top-orders Batters on both sides face a tough examination given the quality of fast bowlers on show. Australia captain Pat Cummins could get to 300 Test wickets this week, with his 294 in 67 previous matches coming at an average of just 22.43. He is set to be joined by left-arm quick Mitchell Starc (382 Test wickets at 27.57), with the only real decision…
WTC FINAL 2025 Bavuma and Cummins pose with the mace. © Getty There’s this earnestness to everything Temba Bavuma does as a cricketer. It comes through even more when you hear him speak in a press conference. He’s measured. He’s contemplative. He’s patient. Often, he is also emotional. And he certainly didn’t hold back on his emotions as he addressed the possibility of becoming the first South African captain to lead his country to a proper world title (the 1998 ICC Knockouts notwithstanding). Especially when he started talking about how even getting to Lord’s for this big finale was part…
Since debuting in November 2016, coincidentally against the Aussies, he’s been a regular fixture in the Proteas XI, and it is no fluke that his wicket-taking production continues to be a phenomenon the team not only relies on, but expects. And wickets aren’t the only thing South Africa’s players have grown to expect from their chief spinner. Maharaj’s work ethic, emphatically confirmed by teammates, is about as predictable as it gets. Fellow bowler Lungi Ngidi was willing to ‘put the house’ on Maharaj being the first cricketer to arrive at Lord’s on Wednesday and commence his preparations while the rest…
But beyond the ‘relief’ of going a step further than what some of their predecessors managed, what’s also at stake is the trajectory a potential victory sets South African cricket on in the future – particularly in the red ball format. Wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne noted the impact the Springboks’ recent World Cup success has had for rugby in South Africa. “(It would mean) everything,” Verreynne also told ICC Digital. “We’ve seen what the rugby (victory) has done. All the adversity that cricket in South Africa has faced… it would be incredibly special.” Opener Tony de Zorzi backed up those sentiments,…
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL Australia captain Pat Cummins has announced the playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s, sticking with the lineup predicted by cricket legend Ricky Ponting on The ICC Review last month. Veteran opener Usman Khawaja will have a new partner at the top, with Marnus Labuschagne moving up to open the batting. Labuschagne, a former top-ranked Test batter, steps into the role to provide stability alongside Khawaja. In the pace bowling attack, Josh Hazlewood has edged out Scott Boland to join Mitchell Starc and captain Cummins. Hazlewood’s recent form in…
JOIN OUR WHATSAPP CHANNEL Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced the Playing XI for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against Australia, starting on June 11 at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Temba Bavuma will lead the team in this historic showdown. The team features a strong pace attack, with Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Lungi Ngidi, who has recovered from a groin injury. Keshav Maharaj is the only specialist spinner in the side. All-rounder Wiaan Mulder will bat at No. 3, with the team management backing him to play his natural game. “Mulder is quite young in that position.…