31 h. ago ‘Chokers? This win squashes that’: Bavuma hopes WTC victory can unite South Africa

‘As a country, it’s a chance for us to rejoice in something’South Africa beat Australia by five wickets in finalAfter generations of disappointment and heartbreak South Africa shrugged off the tag that has long haunted them with victory in the World Test Championship here. For years they have been smeared as chokers, but no more.“While we were batting we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word: choke,” said Temba Bavuma, the South Africa captain. “We came in with a lot of belief and a lot of doubters. We got ourselves into the final, there were doubters as to the route we took. This win squashes that. Here’s an opportunity for us as a nation, divided as we are, to unite.” Continue reading...

Politics

32 h. ago Photos capture South Africa's emotional WTC final victory over Australia at Lord's

South Africa has upset Australia by five wickets to win the World Test Championship on the fourth day of the final at Lord's.

Culture

33 h. ago South Africa win World Test Championship after completing stunning comeback against Australia – as it happened

Aiden Markram scores 136 runs as South Africa defeat Australia by five wickets at Lord’s to lift the World Test Championship title60th over: South Africa 218-3 (Markram 106, Stubbs 0) So it is Tristan Stubbs to the middle. Starts at the non-striker’s end, but immediately gets strike as Markram guides a single. Lots of pressure on Stubbs, more a white-ball player but one of huge talent, who Shukri Conrad has backed in this team. Small target, plenty of time, and in a short-form game he might knock off these last 64 runs in five overs. But this is different. Hit on the pad early, Hazlewood appealing but it’s going down leg. Two slips and a gully, but the second slip is Webster and the gully is Green, so effectively four slips and two gullies. Cover, mid off, mid on, midwicket up closer. Deep point and deep backward square saving boundaries. Stubbs defends his first five balls.59th over: South Africa 217-3 (Markram 105) Oh, there it is! The first tremor? South Africa’s captain battled ...

Politics

34 h. ago South Africa win World Test Championship after completing stunning comeback against Australia – live reaction

South Africa chasing a target of 282 to win at Lord’sRead the latest edition of The Spin | And email James60th over: South Africa 218-3 (Markram 106, Stubbs 0) So it is Tristan Stubbs to the middle. Starts at the non-striker’s end, but immediately gets strike as Markram guides a single. Lots of pressure on Stubbs, more a white-ball player but one of huge talent, who Shukri Conrad has backed in this team. Small target, plenty of time, and in a short-form game he might knock off these last 64 runs in five overs. But this is different. Hit on the pad early, Hazlewood appealing but it’s going down leg. Two slips and a gully, but the second slip is Webster and the gully is Green, so effectively four slips and two gullies. Cover, mid off, mid on, midwicket up closer. Deep point and deep backward square saving boundaries. Stubbs defends his first five balls.59th over: South Africa 217-3 (Markram 105) Oh, there it is! The first tremor? South Africa’s captain battled through the pain yesterd...

Politics

35 h. ago Markram steers South Africa to historic World Test Championship final triumph

Final, D4: SA, 138 & 282-5, bt Aus, 212 & 207, by five wktsVerreynne sees Proteas home against AustraliaFirst trophy since 1998 banishes ‘chokers’ barbAs the South African balcony erupted in ecstasy, and the green shirts in the crowd sent a roar ringing around St John’s Wood, Temba Bavuma simply sat there with his head in his hands. Relief? Disbelief? Whatever it was, it was the culmination of a journey from the township of Langa to the new pinnacle of Test cricket at Lord’s. South Africa, World Test Championship winners under his calm leadership, had made history.There were a couple of stutters along the way, moments when South African backsides started to twitch like a rabbit’s nose and memories of all those self-inflicted heartaches at International Cricket Council events came flooding back. But in the end, guided by a masterful 136 from Aiden Markram - catharsis after last year’s loss in the T20 World Cup final under his captaincy - they squeezed out the remaining 69 run...

Sport

37 h. ago South Africa v Australia: World Test Championship final cricket, day four – live

South Africa chasing a target of 282 to win at Lord’sPlay starts at 10.30am BST / 11.30am SAST / 7.30pm AESTRead the latest edition of The Spin | And email GeoffWho’s nervous? I’m nervous, on their behalf. The batters in next will have spent the evening telling themselves that they’re relaxed, but I’m sure there are thoughts flittering around, mostly that they would all really like to not be required. Australia need to turn that screw right away to have a chance.Then there was Andy Bull, who pondered the slips and the turn of fate that saw Steve Smith’s horrible hand injury. Continue reading...

Sport

50 h. ago ECB likely to continue as host of World Test Championship finals until at least 2031

Decision expected to be ratified at ICC conference in JulyWTC win would be ‘massive’, says South Africa coachThe third day of the World Test Championship final ended amid raucous scenes among the South Africa fans in the stands but possibly also with popping corks in the Lord’s pavilion as it emerged that England is likely to host the showpiece event for another three cycles.Arun Singh Dhumal, chair of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, informed the International Cricket Council in April that it would like to host the next final in 2027 and such is the BCCI’s power in the international game the move was seen as overwhelmingly likely. Continue reading...

Sport

4 d. ago Brazil clinch World Cup spot as Carlo Ancelotti enjoys home debut in charge

The win lifts Brazil to third in South American qualifying, joining Ecuador on 25 points.

Politics

5 d. ago The Salt Path author Raynor Winn discusses ‘powerful’ upcoming project in conversation with Matt Everitt

Raynor Winn, author of The Salt Path, sits down with writer and presenter Matt Everitt to discuss the brand new movie adaptation of her award-winning novel and upcoming show Saltlines: An Immersive Portrait of the South West Coast Path in Prose and Music, as part of the first installment of The Independent’s Live series in collaboration with Latitude Festival.

Culture

5 d. ago AD FEATURE: Discover opportunities at Twyn Hywel Energy Park drop in event

Caerphilly, Rhondda and Gwent businesses and organisations have the chance to support the building of a new wind farm in south Wales valleys

Politics

5 d. ago TV presenter Patricia Fuenmayor dies at 51 after cancer diagnosis

TV presenter and former Miss South America winner Patricia Fuenmayor has died at the age of 51 after being tragically diagnosed with cancer, leaving behind her husband and kids

Events

5 d. ago TV presenter Patricia Fuenmayor dies aged 51 after tragic battle with cancer

TV presenter and former Miss South America winner Patricia Fuenmayor has died aged 51 after being diagnosed with cancer, her network has announced on social media

Events

6 d. ago When will a team from North America, Asia or Africa win the men’s World Cup?

In this mailbag edition of Jonathan Wilson’s newsletter, he answers questions about inverted wingers, favorite jerseys and moreSign up for Soccer with Jonathan Wilson hereWe’re now a year-ish from the World Cup. The tournament is still dominated by European and South American teams. But which continent without a winner (Asia, Africa, Central and North America and, I guess, Oceania) has the best chance of lifting the trophy first?– Stacey Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Spurs sack Ange Postecoglou as head coach after two years in job: football news – live

Australian departs despite Europa League gloryRead the latest edition of Football DailyAsian World Cup qualifiers: Jordan and Uzbekistan have secured qualification at the World Cup finals for the very first time, while South Korea also booked their place in the tournament for the 11th time on the bounce. The three teams join Argentina, New Zealand, Iran and Japan in qualifying for World Cup 2026, while the USA, Canada and Mexico qualify automatically as co-hosts.Uzbekistan, who count Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov among their number, booked their place courtesy of a scoreless draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, while a 3-0 win over Oman was enough to secure Jordan’s place at the tournament. South Korea beat Iraq 2-0 to win their place in the Fifa tombola. Continue reading...

Society

9 d. ago Spurs to sound out Thomas Frank, Liverpool relaxed over Díaz comments: football news – live

Men’s transfer interactive | Women’s transfer interactiveRead the latest edition of Football DailyAsian World Cup qualifiers: Jordan and Uzbekistan have secured qualification at the World Cup finals for the very first time, while South Korea also booked their place in the tournament for the 11th time on the bounce. The three teams join Argentina, New Zealand, Iran and Japan in qualifying for World Cup 2026, while the USA, Canada and Mexico qualify automatically as co-hosts.Uzbekistan, who count Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov among their number, booked their place courtesy of a scoreless draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, while a 3-0 win over Oman was enough to secure Jordan’s place at the tournament. South Korea beat Iraq 2-0 to win their place in the Fifa tombola. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Liverpool relaxed despite Luis Díaz comments, Gabriel signs Arsenal deal: football news – live

Men’s transfer interactive | Women’s transfer interactiveRead the latest edition of Football Daily | And mail BarryAsian World Cup qualifiers: Jordan and Uzbekistan have secured qualification at the World Cup finals for the very first time, while South Korea also booked their place in the tournament for the 11th time on the bounce. The three teams join Argentina, New Zealand, Iran and Japan in qualifying for World Cup 2026, while the USA, Canada and Mexico qualify automatically as co-hosts.Uzbekistan, who count Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov among their number, booked their place courtesy of a scoreless draw with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi, while a 3-0 win over Oman was enough to secure Jordan’s place at the tournament. South Korea beat Iraq 2-0 to win their place in the Fifa tombola. Continue reading...

Economics

9 d. ago Children plummet from bouncy castle blown away in front of terrified parents

Two children were left with injuries after the untethered bouncy castle was carried high into the air by a gust of wind at a school event in Krugersdorp, South Africa

Society

9 d. ago Dalbeattie Primary pupils clean up in Spring Clean Scotland competition

The youngsters were the winners of the Litter League Scotland South after collecting 37 bags of rubbish.

Sport

9 d. ago SNP campaign in Hamilton branded 'embarrassing' as party faces 'wake

The Nationalists repeatedly claimed the battle to win the South Lanarkshire constituency was a "two horse race" between them and Reform UK.

Politics

1 week ago Lee Jae Myung calls South Korean presidential office a ‘graveyard’ after shambolic handover of power

President is likely to move his office back to Blue House, which was abandoned by president Yoon Suk Yeol

Politics