June 7, 2025
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'You are not going to get rid of chokers tag': Mark Boucher, claims Temba Bavuma's South Africa can transform Test cricket with WTC Final victory | Cricket News

‘You are not going to get rid of chokers tag’: Mark Boucher, claims Temba Bavuma’s South Africa can transform Test cricket with WTC Final victory | Cricket News

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Former South Africa cricket head coach Mark Boucher believes a victory for the Temba Bavuma-led South African team in the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s on June 11 could revitalize Test cricket in South Africa. The team secured their first-ever WTC final appearance after winning seven consecutive Tests and topping the 2023-25 cycle points table with a 69.44 percentage.South Africa is currently preparing for the crucial one-off Test with a warm-up match against Zimbabwe at Arundel.“A lot of people have criticised South Africa, which is not really fair. You play what’s in front of you, and with all due respect, the sides that we’ve played against, we probably should have beaten, and we’ve done that. So we find ourselves in a final,” Boucher said.“But I wouldn’t say that it has got the crowds going in our country. Everyone’s very excited about it now, as the opportunity arises, a lot of people are going to travel over to London, spend all their Rands, and go watch what should be a good match. If we win it, I think that could be the turnaround for Test cricket in our country,” he added. Arshdeep Singh: The Poet Who Bowls Thunder | Stories from His Father & Coach The Lord’s clash marks the second ICC title match appearance for the men’s team following their runner-up finish in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. The women’s team has also finished as runners-up in consecutive T20 World Cups.“We’re playing for a trophy, so I guess a lot of people are saying no [we can’t win], but I think it’s a different feel in Test match cricket. It’s played over a longer period of time, and you’ve just got to win big moments in the game as well. Yes, there will be that tag [chokers] that gets thrown our way until we win a trophy,” Boucher stated.“You’re not going to get rid of the tag. Is it deserving of these youngsters coming through? No, it’s almost like they’re carrying the burden of what happened in previous years, which is always going to be tough on them, but they’re the ones in control of their futures at the moment,” he continued.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Boucher expressed confidence in opener Ryan Rickelton and batsman Tristan Stubbs for the upcoming final.“Ryan Rickelton has been playing nicely for Mumbai Indians (MI), and he was actually on the tour that we went to England (in 2022) as well. He’s actually played quite a few games in England as well, so he’ll know the conditions,” he remarked.“And Tristan Stubbs has come back and played a lot of domestic cricket and basically forced his way into the Test side because of the runs that he’s got. On paper, Australia will probably feel that they’ve got a better batting line-up than what we have, but have we got the attitude to go out there and, in a one-off game, just leave it all out there? Absolutely,” Boucher concluded.

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WTC Final: Marnus Labuschagne lauds test Format, urges all nations to take it seriously | Cricket News

WTC Final: Marnus Labuschagne lauds test Format, urges all nations to take it seriously | Cricket News

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Marnus Labuschagne of Australia (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images) Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne expressed his optimism about Test cricket’s future ahead of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s on Wednesday. The 30-year-old, who was part of Australia’s maiden WTC victory against India in 2023, emphasized the importance of countries producing quality players to maintain the format’s tradition.Labuschagne shared his thoughts on the World Test Championship format and its impact on the game’s competitiveness.“It is an exciting tournament. It means every Test you play has something on it, it brings all the countries into play, and anyone can make the final. You’re playing for a trophy at the end of a two-year cycle. I think it has worked great. Two years ago, when we beat India, it was awesome. I’m looking at it from a player’s perspective, and it looks like the game is in a great place,” he said. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy The Australian batter highlighted the role of major cricket nations in sustaining Test cricket’s popularity.“Every time Test cricket is on, people want to watch it. India, Australia and England are probably carrying a bit of the load of Test cricket, but we really want to see all the countries keep producing great players and being part of upholding such an amazing tradition of Test cricket,” he added.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Labuschagne’s Test career began notably at Lord’s in 2019, where he became cricket’s first concussion substitute. His career flourished afterward, achieving an impressive average of 63.43 after 14 Tests and reaching the top spot in ICC Test rankings for six months starting December 2021.The South African-born cricketer also discussed his long-standing relationship with his club.“I love playing with the guys here; they are close friends, and I love the environment at the club. The benefit of having a relationship with the club for six years is that you have the perks of being able to call the director of cricket and say: This is what it looks like, is there a chance we can line this up?” he said.He further emphasized the advantages of his commitment to the club.“Without that relationship, there might be some hesitancy, or you might not get someone in for two games. But that’s the benefit of the long-term commitment I have shown over the last six years,” he added.

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WTC Final: Temba Bavuma harboured dreams of playing at Lord's as youngster; to lead Proteas against Australia | Cricket News

WTC Final: Temba Bavuma harboured dreams of playing at Lord’s as youngster; to lead Proteas against Australia | Cricket News

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South Africa’s Temba Bavuma (AP/PTI) South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma, the first Black cricketer to lead his country in Test cricket, shared his journey from playing cricket in the streets of Langa to leading his team at Lord’s in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship final against Australia on June 11. South Africa last faced Australia in a Test series in 2022-23, where Australia won 2-0.Bavuma, now 35, recalled his childhood connection to Lord’s cricket ground, drawing parallels between the streets of his hometown and famous cricket venues.“There was always some sort of allegiance with Lord’s when we were growing up in Langa. On the right-hand side of the street the tar wasn’t done so nicely and we used to call it Karachi. The other side was the MCG. But my favourite section was clean and done up nicely, and we called it Lord’s because it just looked better. As a kid of 10, I already had that dream of playing at Lord’s,” Bavuma told The Guardian. Poll Can Temba Bavuma lead South Africa to victory in the WTC final against Australia? His journey included earning a scholarship to SACS, where he faced challenges adapting to a predominantly white institution.“It was tough integrating within the system, learning and understanding the (white) culture,” he said of his time at SACS. “But I had to learn about discipline and etiquette. I also had to learn confidence. Can you imagine taking a child from the township into a system where, basically, everything is there? There were always doubts. Am I good enough to be here?” Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy Bavuma remembered the stark differences when SACS played against Langa. “My friends from Langa would have huge plates at lunch. We’d laugh about it but… the Langa boy would be wondering when is he going to get another opportunity to eat food like that?”His cricket career progressed after moving to Johannesburg and attending St David’s, which has since named its cricket ground after him.Bavuma achieved a significant milestone in 2016 by becoming the first Black South African to score a Test century. His second century came in 2023 after becoming Test captain.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?“The added responsibility, getting pushed up the order, is something I thrived on,” Bavuma said. “Most of all, I just understand my game and I don’t try playing like anyone else.”Under his leadership, South Africa secured their place in the World Test Championship final by winning seven consecutive Tests, despite challenges including scheduling inequality, player unavailability, and funding constraints.The ICC World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia is scheduled to begin on June 11 at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

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WTC Final: Marco Jansen reveals Ricky Ponting's cheeky send-off - 'Good luck, but hope you lose' ahead of Australia clash | Cricket News

WTC Final: Marco Jansen reveals Ricky Ponting’s cheeky send-off – ‘Good luck, but hope you lose’ ahead of Australia clash | Cricket News

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Marco Jansen with Punjab Kings coach Ricky Ponting. (Pic credit: IPL) South African pacer Marco Jansen has shared the cheeky parting words from Ricky Ponting that continue to echo in his mind as he prepares to face Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.Fresh off a stellar Indian Premier League (IPL) season with Punjab Kings, where he claimed 16 wickets in 14 matches, Jansen revealed that Ponting, who coached the Kings to a runners-up finish in his debut season, offered both support and a light-hearted jab before Jansen left India for England.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“Before I left (India), he (Ponting) just said, ‘Good luck, I hope you do well, but I hope you lose’,” Jansen told ICC Digital with a grin, as South Africa’s warm-up match against Zimbabwe was washed out in Arundel.The 24-year-old left-armer was full of praise for Ponting’s coaching style, especially his ability to nurture confidence and focus on the positives. Poll Do you believe Marco Jansen will excel in the ICC World Test Championship Final? “I learnt a lot from him, especially from a mental point of view. He is always positive and he always sees the good stuff instead of the bad. I think that’s why he’s a legend of the game,” Jansen said. “He always reminds you what could happen, what you can do, instead of what might go wrong.”Now shifting focus to red-ball cricket, Jansen is keen to soak up more knowledge from recently retired England pacer Stuart Broad, who has joined the Proteas in a consulting role ahead of the WTC Final. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy “Obviously, he’s played a lot against Australia at Lord’s,” Jansen said. “Maybe I’ll pick his brain… ask what they did to get certain batters out. But at the end of the day, you still have to figure it out yourself on the pitch.”

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