Under Pat Cummins, Australia have been a team of winners.But in South Africa, there was an opponent ready for the challenge.That challenge was met, and with the help of a flattening pitch, it was achieved.AdvertisementREAD MORE: South Africa shed chokers tag as Aussies crumble in finalREAD MORE: Australia's heavy reliance on star exposed in post-mortemREAD MORE: Star sheds tears in stirring interview with South African iconSouth Africa celebrates with the mace. ICC via Getty ImagesNow the fallout will come from Australia's loss ahead of the West Indies tour.Here are the talking points from an intriguing World Test Championship final.What does Smith's injury mean?Steve Smith faces a race against the clock to feature in the West Indies.He didn't require surgery for the compound dislocation in his finger, but will wear a splint for eight weeks, Cummins revealed post-match.Steve Smith leaves Lord's with a dislocated finger. PA Images via Getty ImagesIn two weeks, the wound should heal but then the battle is how he bats with a splint.That puts him on a collision course for the June 25 date when Australia's first Test in Barbados starts. He's meant to play for Washington Freedom in the Major League Cricket beforehand. That seems unlikely.Now the question is what it means for Australia's batting order.Cummins was asked post-match whether the loss can be put down to conditions or the failure of the top seven."A bit of both," he said.In his press conference, he was then asked specifically about the top three of Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green."I think there's quite a few people in the lineup that wish they could have done a little bit more and the top three was an obvious one in this game," he said.A question around Khawaja's form was also delivered and the similarities around the end of David Warner's career."I think the beauty of someone like Davey or Uzzy going through a lean patch late in their career, you know they've got out of it before," Cummins said."... But like anyone else you've got to be scoring runs, you've got to be taking wickets so we'll wait and see but he would obviously like some more runs. Going into that Sri Lankan series his name was thrown up there publicly and he scored a double hundred and showed how good he is so I'm sure runs aren't too far away."Marnus Labuschagne continues to be put under pressure amid his century drought too.Marnus Labuschagne walks off at Lord's. GettyThe common perception will likely be that if Smith isn't fit for the West Indies, Labuschagne goes to No.3, Green at four and Sam Konstas opens.But what about Josh Inglis? He's a gun and showed that in Sri Lanka, scoring a ton on debut.If Australian selectors see Green as a long-term first drop then they might as well persist.It's a major conundrum for Australia moving past the West Indies. Smith is 36 and nearing the end as is Usman Khawaja at 38.The easy solution is 30-year-old Labuschagne starts scoring runs and stays at No.3 while Green fills Smith's spot when he retires. Konstas opens and then Australia looks for another opener.view gallery Australia player ratings: Pat Cummins has saved his side on countless occasions but the final was one too manyBut cricket doesn't work easily like that. And then you factor in Nathan McSweeney and his talents. He proved he's more of a middle order batter in his short Test stint.It's going to be a big Sheffield Shield season coming up ahead of The Ashes. The usual names of Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Henry Hunt, Matt Renshaw will be big watches while Jason Sangha is emerging too.This is where the selectors will earn their pay cheques.Did our inspirational skipper meet his match?The best decision Temba Bavuma made during the final was at the toss when he stood across Pat Cummins.Temba Bavuma prepares for the toss. GettyChoosing to bowl, he must have seen into the future and saw a beautiful, flat deck appearing on day three and four ahead of a run chase.Bavuma was smart with his bowling changes too.His decision to bring on Lungi Ngidi during the second innings in the 13th over didn't immediately bring rewards but he persisted. Smith was gone in the 19th, Webster followed him not long after. Then Cummins was out in the 25th.Bavuma didn't have it all his own way though, he had some shocker reviews across both innings.But regardless of that, he was brilliant.Bavuma now continues to stay unbeaten as a Test captain. He has captained South Africa for 10 Tests, nine have been wins.His record as a captain means he's equalled the record of England's Percy Chapman who is the only other skipper to have had as many wins in his first ten Tests as the main man.Chapman was appointed England in captain all the way back in 1926. That is a 99-year record that still stands. Incredible.Cummins has been sensational as Australian skipper but the argument can be now made that Bavuma has well and truly put himself in the frame as best captain in the world.Temba Bavuma and Pat Cummins walk out to Lord's. GettyTake a bow, Aiden MarkramNasser Hussain summed it up best when Markram left Lord's after falling for 136, just six runs short of the winning target."You arrived at the crease on a pair, and you left it as a national hero," the former England captain said on Amazon Prime.It was a poetic description, fitting for a man who changed the fortunes of Test cricket in his nation off the back of one innings.Aiden Markram walks off the ground after his dismissal. ICC via Getty ImagesMarkram barely gave a chance out there, and is now etched in Lord's history.His player of the match title was the icing on the cake."It's weird how things work out, you get a duck in the first innings and come into the second innings with quite a few concerns. Ultimately you need a bit of luck in there and spend some time in the middle and find some runs and I'm really grateful it worked out nicely," Markram said when accepting his award.South Africa's Aiden Markram has a drink in celebration. PA Images via Getty ImagesThen the cameras snapped him sculling a beer with the crowd.Markram's name is now forever a part of Test cricket folklore.The sad reality behind Test cricket in South AfricaFor the first time since readmission, South Africa won't have a home Test series in the summer of 2025/26.The schedule comes as Cricket South Africa focuses on stadium upgrades ahead of the 2027 World Cup.It means the South African fans won't be able to celebrate their championship winning side.South Africa will play two Tests against Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe though, starting June 28.
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