South Africa is on the verge of winning their first World Test Championship title after day three at Lord’s, with Aiden Markram scoring 102 not out and Temba Bavuma contributing an impressive 65*. They now need 69 runs to win with eight wickets in hand. However, the team remains cautious due to previous failures in major ICC tournaments against a resilient Australian side.
Aiden Markram’s remarkable century has put South Africa on the brink of their first-ever World Test Championship title. As day three concluded at Lord’s, South Africa stood at 213-2, just 69 runs from a historic win over Australia while still having eight wickets in hand.
After a disappointing first innings where he was dismissed for a duck, Markram redeemed himself by scoring a composed 102 not out. Temba Bavuma, despite battling a hamstring injury, provided solid support with a resilient 65*, creating an unbroken partnership of 143 runs. This duo has put their team in a position to chase down 282 runs, which would be the second highest successful run chase at the iconic venue, surpassed only by the West Indies’ 344-1 against England back in 1984.
However, South Africa is treading carefully, well aware of their history in major ICC tournaments; their only senior men’s title was won in 1998. Fans remain understandably cautious, especially against a seasoned Australian side that defends the WTC title and is known for explosive comebacks. Batting coach Ashwell Prince expressed his delight, stating, “There was great joy in the changing room for Aiden’s hundred, and his partnership with Temba is one of the finest in South African cricket. But the job is not yet done.”
All-rounder Wiaan Mulder noted the team’s fearless mindset as a key factor in improving their performance following a dismal first innings. “We had to go for it, regardless of what Australia posted. There was a lot less fear of failure,” he informed Sky Sports.
Earlier, Mitchell Starc seemed to restore momentum for Australia with a superb all-round display. He contributed an unbeaten 58 to boost Australia to 207 in their second innings and also highlighted his bowling capabilities by dismissing Ryan Rickelton (6) and Mulder (27), which put South Africa in a precarious spot at 70-2.
Starc almost added Bavuma’s wicket too, but a well-placed delivery was dropped by Steve Smith, who was later seen leaving the field with a finger injury. This slip turned out to be costly as Bavuma and Markram capitalized on the forgiving batting conditions under the sun. Markram’s innings was a blend of confidence and skill, while Bavuma displayed his resilience and timing with some elegant strokes, including a signature shot that earned applause.
Australia’s bowlers faced an uphill battle without Smith’s guidance. Nathan Lyon almost turned the tide with two close opportunities where Markram and Bavuma nearly succumbed to his spin. Bavuma achieved his half-century in 83 balls, showing determination, while Markram celebrated reaching a century with a fine flick through midwicket, marking his 11th boundary.
The day had started well for South Africa when Kagiso Rabada trapped Lyon lbw to leave Australia struggling at 148-9. However, Starc and Josh Hazlewood salvaged pride, managing to put together a frustrating 59-run last-wicket stand before Markram claimed the final wicket, allowing Hazlewood to be caught in the deep. Rabada’s performance, ending with 4-59 in this innings and nine total, once again confirms his status among the world’s elite fast bowlers.
As it stands, South Africa is now on the cusp of overcoming their historic struggles and potentially rewriting their legacy in global cricket, but they must see this chase through to the end.
In conclusion, Aiden Markram’s century and Temba Bavuma’s resilient performance have placed South Africa on the brink of claiming their first World Test Championship title. However, past failures loom large as the team approaches a significant chase against a formidable Australian side. With cautious optimism, South Africa looks to secure a historic victory that could redefine their legacy in cricket.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
