Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn couldn’t hold back his tears after the Proteas defeated Australia by five wickets to win the World Test Championship (WTC), ending a 27-year-long drought for an ICC title.“What do you do? What do you say? It’s incredible,” Steyn told Star Sports.“I’m sitting at home. I have my cap here. I’m extremely proud. I’ll take my son for a walk. Life will carry on,” said Steyn, who played 93 Tests for South Africa and picked up 439 wickets.The fast bowling great struggled to control his emotions, bursting into tears live on air. He wiped his face with a tissue, proudly showed his old Test cap, and gave a big thumbs up to the camera.At Lord’s on Saturday, South Africa defeated defending champions Australia by five wickets to claim the WTC mace. Opener Aiden Markram starred with a magnificent 136, guiding South Africa to a memorable win by lunch on day four after chasing down 282 in 83.4 overs.
Veteran left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj was also overcome with emotion. In tears of joy, he said his dream had come true — winning a Test championship at Lord’s just before Father’s Day.“This is even more special because my family is here with me. It’s my first one as a father, and my dream was to have my daughter with me, playing on the outfield at Lord’s, with a winner’s medal on her,” said Maharaj.One of the most iconic images from the victory was of captain Temba Bavuma holding the WTC mace in one hand while his son held the other.“Fatherhood has definitely changed me as a person. Even the team says it’s made me a better man. It’s special and gives you someone else to play for,” Bavuma said.The WTC-winning South African squad, led by head coach Shukri Conrad, will return home on Wednesday and are expected to address the media at OR Tambo International Airport.
