Lord’s, London — South Africa are just 69 runs away from clinching their maiden ICC World Test Championship title after a resilient and commanding batting display led by Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma on Day 3 of the final against Australia.
Chasing a tricky target of 282 in the fourth innings, the Proteas reached 213/2 at stumps on Friday, with Markram unbeaten on a sublime 102 and captain Bavuma battling through a hamstring injury to remain 65 not out. The unbeaten 143-run partnership between the two has put South Africa within touching distance of a historic triumph in the Ultimate Test.
Markram’s Masterclass, Bavuma’s Grit
Markram’s century—his eighth in Test cricket—came off 156 balls and was laced with class and control. From elegant back-cuts to precision drives, the opener displayed his full repertoire in an innings that may well be remembered as his finest.
At the other end, Bavuma defied physical discomfort after injuring his hamstring midway through his knock. Despite visibly hobbling between the wickets, the skipper stood tall, guiding the chase with remarkable composure and resilience.
The partnership was not just about runs but about character. Australia’s bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc (2/53), tried every option—pace, spin, short balls, reverse swing—but couldn’t crack the pair’s focus.
Australia’s Missed Chances and Injury Woes
Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc had boosted Australia’s chances with a gritty 58* in the morning session, steering a crucial 59-run last-wicket stand with Josh Hazlewood to lift their second innings total to 207. That extended Australia’s lead to 281—a challenging but not unassailable target.
However, the momentum quickly shifted.
After Starc removed Ryan Rickelton early in South Africa’s chase, Australia missed a golden opportunity when Bavuma, on just 2, edged a delivery to first slip—only for Steve Smith to grass the chance and suffer a compound dislocation in his right little finger. He was rushed to hospital, leaving a big void in the field.
A Shift in Conditions and Confidence
Unlike the first innings, where batting proved treacherous, the Lord’s surface eased considerably under sunshine. That change was evident as South Africa cruised to 47/1 in the first 10 overs, a stark contrast to their earlier struggle where they were 30/3 after 20 overs.
Australia’s attack, despite relentless effort, couldn’t extract the same bite from the pitch. Pat Cummins rotated six bowlers, including part-time options like Travis Head and even experimented with lines, but to no avail.
Even Nathan Lyon, who posed some threat from the rough, couldn’t break through, while substitute fielder Sam Konstas narrowly missed a diving catch off Bavuma in a half-chance near deep square.
Proteas Close to a Historic Finish
This Test final marks a possible turning point in South African cricket history. The team, often praised but rarely rewarded with major titles, now stands on the edge of glory. Victory would cap a remarkable World Test Championship campaign in which they won seven consecutive Tests to reach the final.
For Australia, who lifted the mace in the inaugural edition in 2023, the dream of back-to-back titles is slipping away. They’ll need a miracle on the final day to prevent South Africa from lifting their first ICC Test title.
Score Summary:
Australia: 212 & 207 (Starc 58*, Carey 43; Rabada 4/59, Ngidi 3/38)
South Africa: 138 & 213/2 (Markram 102*, Bavuma 65*; Starc 2/53)
Target: 282 | South Africa need: 69 runs with 8 wickets in hand
What’s Next?
The fourth morning promises high drama. With just 69 runs separating South Africa from Test supremacy, and Australia’s attack drained and depleted, all eyes will be on Lord’s for what could be a defining chapter in South African cricket history.
Stay tuned for live coverage and updates as this gripping battle nears its conclusion.