South Africa’s dreams of a maiden world title edged tantalisingly close on Day 3 of the World Test Championship Final, as captain Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram produced an unbeaten 213 for 2 in pursuit of 282 to defeat Australia at Lord’s. By stumps, the Proteas needed just 69 more runs with eight wickets in hand.
Resuming the day on 94/2, Bavuma (65*) and Markram (102*) resumed with the calculated intent befitting a title decider. Early in the session, Bavuma’s fierce sweep off Josh Hazlewood cleared the ropes, steering South Africa past the 100-run mark in just 25.3 overs. Markram soon joined the attack, racing to his fifty in 69 balls with controlled drives through the off-side.
The pair rotated strike with clinical precision. Their century stand arrived in the 42nd over, when Bavuma unfurled an elegant aerial sweep off Nathan Lyon. Despite a hamstring niggle sustained earlier, the skipper shrugged off discomfort, gathering four more boundaries in an 83-ball half-century. Markram, undeterred by the occasion, reached triple figures in 156 deliveries—becoming the first South African to score a century in an ICC final—before pulling a widening full toss to the boundary.
“That partnership was exceptional,” said Australian assistant coach Daniel Vettori.
“The wicket wasn’t doing much for the bowlers under the floodlights, and they navigated through trickier periods before applying pressure back on us.”
By close, Bavuma and Markram had added an unbroken 143 runs. With the target now within sight, South Africa stands on the brink of ending a 27-year wait for ICC silverware.
Cummins’ captain’s spell sets up the contest
Australia’s lower-order resistance with the bat had laid the platform for a challenging target. In their second innings, Mitchell Starc smashed an unbeaten 58—becoming the first number-nine batter to register a fifty in an ICC knockout Test—before Josh Hazlewood chipped in with 17 to haul Australia to 207.
But it was Pat Cummins’ bowling that turned the match on its head. Resuming Day 2 on 43/4, South Africa’s first innings dissolved to 138 all out as Cummins claimed career-best figures of 6/28—surpassing Bob Willis’ 33-year Lord’s record for a captain—and secured his 300th Test wicket. Mitchell Starc (2/41) and Josh Hazlewood (1/27) shared the remaining scalps.
“Reaching 300 wickets, here at Lord’s, was pretty special,” Cummins reflected.
“It’s a sign of resilience and longevity, and doing it in an innings like that gave us real momentum.”
Proteas’ fightback and fielding scare
South Africa’s chase began shakily, as Starc trapped Ryan Rickleton (6) in the opening over, and later bowled Cameron Green for a duck. But a 63-run stand between Markram and Wiaan Mulder (27) steadied the ship. Mulder’s dismissal via a smart Marnus Labuschagne catch sparked a mini collapse, yet Bavuma’s leadership and Markram’s composure prevented further damage.
The afternoon session offered a scare when Australia’s veteran Steve Smith injured his little finger while attempting a slip catch off Bavuma. Smith was sent to the hospital for scans, leaving the bowling attack to weather the remainder of the day without him.
Batting coach Ashwell Prince praised Markram’s temperament and a minor technical tweak that unlocked his best form. “He’s the man for the big occasion,” Prince said.
“It wasn’t a major fix—just a reminder to keep his hands close to his body. Then it was a matter of sticking to the process, as coach Shukri Conrad emphasised.”
Markram’s knock placed him alongside legends who have scored fourth-innings centuries at Lord’s, including Don Bradman (1938), Michael Clarke (2009) and Gordon Greenidge (1984). It was also his third fourth-innings ton in Tests, a feat matched only by Geoff Boycott and Graeme Gooch.
With only 69 runs needed and eight wickets in hand, South Africa will begin the final day as overwhelming favourites. Australia must strike early, and skipper Cummins hinted at deploying his remaining seamers in short-of-length areas that have troubled the Proteas before.
“It’s a difficult task, but we’ve been here before,” Cummins said.
“If we can get one tonight, tomorrow morning could give us a sniff. We remain disciplined with our line and length.”
South Africa batting coach Prince urged calm in the dressing room ahead of what could be the most dramatic session of the match. “They understand what’s at stake,” he said. “We’ve come close so many times in ICC events—now it’s our moment to finish it off.”
If Bavuma and Markram can negotiate the new ball, South Africa will secure their long-awaited first ICC title. For Australia, it will take one final burst of bowling magic to defy the odds and retain their championship.
Brief Scores
- Australia: 212 & 207 all out (Mitchell Starc 58*; Pat Cummins 6/28)
- South Africa: 138 all out & 213/2 (Aiden Markram 102*, Temba Bavuma 65*; Mitchell Starc 2/37)
- Target: South Africa needs 69 runs on Day 4 to win.
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