London, June 14 (UNI) Australia's hopes of defending their World Test Championship (WTC) crown ended in heartbreak at Lord's on Saturday, as skipper Pat Cummins summed up the defeat with a telling admission: "This was a bridge too far."

Outclassed by a resolute South African outfit that held their nerve in the final moments, Cummins’ men fell short by five wickets in a contest that never quite tilted decisively their way, despite early control. The result handed South Africa their first-ever WTC title and their first ICC men’s trophy in 27 years.

In a post-match reflection, Cummins acknowledged the margins and moments that slipped away from Australia despite a promising position in the game. "Things can change pretty quickly ... There's always a few things — we had a decent first innings lead and tried to bat them out, but it just did not happen."

Australia began the match on a strong footing, gaining a vital 67-run lead in the first innings. But their second innings collapse left the door open, and the Proteas charged through with a clinical fourth-day chase, led by Aiden Markram’s measured brilliance.

"It was looking like the wicket flattened out, but it can change here – and unfortunately it didn’t," Cummins remarked. "Lyono (Nathan Lyon) looked threatening, but he didn’t get a wicket. Aiden was fantastic. South Africa were deserved champions."

Though Australia have enjoyed a dominant run in the WTC cycle — including an Ashes retention and multiple overseas wins — Cummins said it simply didn't come together at Lord's. "It has been a wonderful two years, but maybe it was a bit of both – execution and conditions – that didn't click in this game."

He praised South Africa's ability to stay in the contest and capitalise on moments. "They kept themselves in the game and pounced on the opportunity," he said, summing up the Proteas’ spirited performance.

Despite the defeat, Cummins reiterated his admiration for the longest format of the game. "I love Test cricket – it is the pinnacle. It is a fantastic kind of spectacle," he said, reaffirming his commitment to the format even as Australia begin regrouping for the next cycle.

South Africa’s win marked their first senior men’s ICC title in 27 years and served as a cathartic moment for a generation of Proteas players and fans still haunted by past near-misses.

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