The Australian media, always ready to stir the pot, took a no-holds-barred stance against the Indian cricket team, particularly targeting Virat Kohli, during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They went from idolizing Kohli to tearing him down in no time. Just weeks after celebrating his farewell tour in Australia with Hindi articles, a major Aussie outlet labeled him the national villain. The incident involving Kohli and Konstas sparked a wave of mockery, with Kohli being called a 'clown', Rohit Sharma getting the nickname 'Captain Cry Baby', and young Indian players being dismissed as 'sooks'. For the Aussie press, crossing the line is nothing new.

But there’s a way to quiet them down. With the BGT wrapped up, the focus shifts to the World Test Championship final, where the reigning champs, Australia, will face a determined South Africa at the legendary Lord's Cricket Ground. If there’s one team that’s been as hot as the Aussies, it’s definitely the Proteas. Coming into the WTC final with seven straight wins, South Africa, including their former captain Graeme Smith, are optimistic about finally clinching the title. In 2023, they made it to the ODI World Cup semifinals before their run ended abruptly. Seven months later, India put a stop to their T20 World Cup dreams in the final. This time, though, there’s no room for error.

Predicting a Test match like this one is pretty intriguing. Neither team has played much cricket leading up to the WTC final, and with it being at a neutral venue like Lord's, it adds an interesting twist. Personally, I’ve always found Lord's to be an amazing place, but I can tell you that all the chatter coming from Australia definitely fires me up to go there and grab that trophy. If we manage to beat them, all that noise from down under will feel totally worth it, Smith, the SA20 commissioner, shared with The Hindustan Times while the tournament gears up for its third edition starting January 9.

Smith has quite the history when it comes to taking down Australia. Back in 2006, he led South Africa to an incredible victory, chasing down 434 runs, which still stands as the highest successful run chase in ODI history. Just three years later, he guided South Africa to their first Test series win in Australia, defeating Ponting's team 2-1 on their home turf. Smith was a standout performer, racking up 326 runs and earning the Player of the Series title. Who could forget the image of him batting with a broken arm against Mitchell Johnson? They just don’t make players like that anymore.

Fast forward 16 years, and Temba Bavuma is now in a position to make history. Known as 'Lord' Temba in India, he’s become somewhat of a meme star himself. Under his captaincy, South Africa has secured 10 wins in the last 14 Tests, including an impressive streak of seven consecutive victories. Bavuma boasts an impressive average of 57.78 as captain and has hit two centuries during the WTC cycle. After 11 years, he’s finally leading South Africa to heights that fans have been dreaming of for the past 25 years.

 "This really means a lot to everyone, especially Temba. He’s been under a ton of pressure these past couple of years. Over the last year, he’s been averaging more than 50 with the bat, which is impressive. He’s been a great leader, handling everything with a calm demeanor. He’s not the type to be loud or in your face; he’s more of a quiet guy who gets the job done. Thanks to him, the team has scored seven straight wins, which is fantastic. Now he’s heading into the World Test Championship final, and we’ll all be there cheering him on," Smith shared.

SA20 provides the toughest challenge to international cricket

In its third season, SA20 is generating a lot of excitement, with many insiders thinking it could one day compete with the Indian Premier League. The energy is palpable, and there are solid reasons behind it. The league features star-studded teams that are affiliated with IPL franchises. It has all the elements of a premier T20 league, except for the debated Impact Player rule. Smith believes that SA20 is a great platform for players to gear up for the toughest challenges in cricket.

Similar to the IPL, SA20 is viewed as a training ground for players aiming for the top levels of the sport. This idea is backed up by the fact that 16 South African players were selected in the IPL mega auction, highlighting the league's rising status.

We've rolled out this rookie system, and it's exciting to see how many of them are getting a chance to shine. I'm really eager to watch their progress. There's always a narrative to follow. You have players who might be struggling but are stepping into this tournament—can they turn things around? Take Tristan Stubbs, for example. He had a solid international year but hit a rough patch. Will this be his breakout season? He certainly showed promise in the IPL with 378 runs at a strike rate of 190.9, including three fifties for the Delhi Capitals. Then there's Kane Williamson's journey, and Devon Conway returning to Jo'burg. Trent Boult is making his debut here, which is exciting. I’m also keen to see how Rashid Khan performs. The Sunrisers Eastern Cape have won two years in a row—can they do it again? There are so many potential stories waiting to unfold, as Smith pointed out.

What SA20 brings to the table is the closest thing to international competition. We’ve got international stars and the top South African players involved. Unfortunately, domestic cricket hasn’t been able to draw big crowds, but now we’re seeing full stands. Our players are getting a taste of the intensity that comes with playing in a World Cup or against India. The younger players will face real challenges and learn what it takes to succeed. I’m optimistic that this will help discover talented players who can bring home trophies in the future.

Read Also: BCCI Official Questions Akash Deep's Test Future: 'In and Out of the XI' Concerns