Bavuma and Markram swung WTC final in South Africa's favor

LONDON (AP) — Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma didn't have the pleasure of finishing off what they started.

No problem. South Africa won the World Test Championship and that's all that mattered to them.

It was fitting that Markram and Bavuma led the comeback with the bat as South Africa beat Australia by five wickets by completing a run chase of 282 at Lord's on the fourth day Saturday.

They were the linchpins of a batting unit considered to be South Africa's weak point and their partnership of 147 — 143 on Friday — tore the game away from Australia after the bowlers dominated the first two days.

But their stand was almost over before it began when Bavuma strained his left hamstring on 9 just before tea on Friday. He was hobbling, struggling to run.

Coach Shukri Conrad didn't want Bavuma to continue.

“The coaches thought the wiser decision was to let someone else in who could run properly,” Bavuma said. “But I thought it was important I stayed out here and put up a total. It could've gone the other way and I could've been criticized but we're here now.”

Markram was worried when Bavuma was injured but the captain's confidence reassured him.

“He wanted to know if (running) twos becoming ones would affect me. I said no chance, it's about the partnership, getting the ball softer,” Markram said. “He still managed to run twos and threes. He showed a lot of adrenaline, a lot of leadership and character.”

Bavuma, ragged but controlled, added only one more run on Saturday to his overnight 65.

“We got the best of the batting conditions,” Conrad said. “Two-eighty was always going to be a stiff task. Aiden and Temba stood tall and took us through. I was the one who said Temba shouldn't bat (after the injury) but the partnership was critical, and they know better than the coaches.”

Bavuma, South Africa's first Black captain, has been at ease with himself a lot more since Conrad became the coach two years ago. Together, they have won 11 of 15 tests. Bavuma is unbeaten in 10 tests as a captain.

Previously, he struggled with being the hope of a nation, anxious trying to prove something to everyone ahead of himself. When he suffered untimely drops in form at the 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup, he was savagely abused on social media and in public.

“It's not easy being captain of South Africa,” he said. “All the sacrifice, disappointment, at that moment (of winning the final) it really feels worth it.

“When you are going through it all, giving up is always an option in the back of your mind but something wills you on. For me, it’s that moment there. (I want) to be recognized as more than just a black African cricketer, and to be seen as someone who has done something the country has wanted. I will walk around with my chest out and hope it continues to inspire our country.”

Markram also silenced his doubters.

His MVP-winning 136, only his second century away from home in eight years, is expected to give the allrounder who opens the confidence to lift his test reputation to the repute he enjoys in T20s and ODIs.

Until this match, Markram was the only South Africa captain to win a World Cup, the under-19 version in 2014. His test career has roller-coastered but he was recalled by Conrad and backed by Bavuma. Markram led the team to the 2024 T20 World Cup final and scarred by defeat when victory was in sight, another tribute to his resilience.

“I thought a lot about the T20 World Cup last night and how helpless I felt after getting out,” he said. "That gave me motivation to make sure I stayed at the crease. It was all about getting the job done.

“This is as big and tough as it gets. All the questions that have been asked in the past have fortunately now been answered. It would be great to not hear it (chokers) again, that's for sure. To get rid of that tag is a big thing for this team.”

Markram admitted he slept “horribly” but endured until six runs were needed. He was at the crease for six hours, 23 minutes.

“It will rank up there as number one,” he said. "My test career has been hard going, very stop-start. Weird how things worked out after a duck in the first innings. Need a bit of luck. It's one of the most special days.”

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma holds the winner's trophy after their win in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma celebrates with the winner's trophy after their win in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

South Africa's Aiden Markram acknowledges the applause from the crowd as he walks off the field after losing his wicket on day four of the World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma, center, chats with batting partner Aiden Markram between overs on day four of the World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Johnson had 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in his seventh triple-double of the season, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 111-99 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and Onyeka Okongwu had 22 for the Hawks, while both Zaccharie Risacher and Luke Kennard scored 12.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points. OG Anunoby had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges added 18 points.

Ariel Hukporti, who replaced Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) in the starting lineup, grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds for New York.

The Knicks got off to a quick start, taking an 11-2 lead. Trailing 30-29, the Hawks scored the final four points of the first quarter and never trailed again.

Atlanta extended its lead to 60-45 on Okongwu’s short jumper with 1:16 remaining in the second quarter before Brunson’s runner cut the Knicks’ deficit to 60-47 at halftime.

Alexander-Walker’s driving layup with 1:14 left in the third quarter gave the Hawks their biggest lead of the game at 94-68 and they were ahead 94-70 at the end of the quarter.

The Knicks scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter and pulled within 94-81 before Kennard connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to end the streak.

New York mounted a final rally following consecutive 3-pointers by Bridges to edge within 108-99, but never got any closer.

The Hawks, who have won two in a row following a season-high, seven-game losing streak, became the first team to hold the Knicks to fewer than 100 points this season.

Atlanta's Trae Young (bruised right quadriceps) and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (left ankle injury management) each missed their third straight games.

Hawks: Visit Toronto on Saturday.

Knicks: Host Philadelphia on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu reacts after scoring a 3-point basket during first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) passes the ball around New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti (55) during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, bottom, and Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) battle for the ball during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, right, is defended by New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)