Bavuma and Markram lead South Africa to the verge of a historic triumph
Chasing a target of 282 for a historic victory, the Proteas closed Day 3 at 213 for 2 — just 69 runs away from securing their first ICC title in 27 years.
Markram Century Puts South Africa on Brink of Historic WTC Final Win
Aiden Markram’s brilliant unbeaten century on Friday propelled South Africa to the cusp of a dramatic victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, potentially ending decades of heartbreak in major ICC tournaments.
The Proteas closed Day 3 on 213 for 2 in their second innings, needing just 69 more runs to chase down 282 — which would mark the second-highest successful run chase in Test history at Lord’s, behind the West Indies' 344 in 1984.
Markram, who was dismissed for a duck in the first innings, made a commanding return with 102 not out. Captain Temba Bavuma, battling a hamstring injury and visibly struggling, remained unbeaten on 65. Together, the duo forged an unbroken 143-run partnership, carrying South Africa within sight of a historic win.
South Africa last won an ICC trophy in 1998, and their reputation for faltering under pressure in knockout stages leaves fans cautiously optimistic, especially against a battle-hardened Australian side that currently holds the WTC title.
Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc starred for Australia with both bat and ball. The left-arm pacer scored a defiant 58* in Australia’s second innings total of 207 and then removed Ryan Rickelton (6) and Wiaan Mulder (27), reducing South Africa to 70-2. He nearly added a third wicket, but Steve Smith dropped a sharp chance off Bavuma and exited the field with a finger injury.
As conditions improved for batting under clear skies, Markram launched a counterattack, dispatching Pat Cummins with powerful pulls and drives. Bavuma, despite his injury, produced elegant strokes, including a straight drive off Cummins and a determined 83-ball fifty.
Australia’s Nathan Lyon threatened briefly, beating both batters on occasion, but failed to make the breakthrough. Bavuma survived a close call on 43, when a slog-sweep just eluded substitute Sam Konstas at deep midwicket.
Markram reached his hundred just before stumps, clipping Hazlewood through midwicket for his 11th boundary off 156 deliveries — his eighth Test century in 84 innings.
Earlier in the day, Kagiso Rabada removed Lyon LBW early to leave Australia reeling at 148-9. However, Starc and Hazlewood frustrated the South African attack, adding 59 runs for the last wicket. Starc, dropped on 14 by Jansen the previous evening, made the Proteas pay.
It was part-time spinner Markram who finally broke the stand, dismissing Hazlewood to end the innings. Rabada finished with 4-59, and a match haul of nine wickets.
South Africa now stand on the brink of a long-awaited ICC title — just 69 runs and two sessions away from rewriting history.
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