In the WTC final match against Australia at Lord’s, South Africa has made significant progress towards victory on Day 3.
Aiden Markram bounced back
SA opener Aiden Markram bounced back from a first-innings duck to score an impressive century, while captain Temba Bavuma battled through injury to remain not out on 65 at Stumps on Day 3. South Africa reached 213/2 and requires just 69 more runs to successfully chase down the target of 282 and secure their inaugural WTC title. Earlier today, Mitchell Starc contributed a determined 58 runs to help Australia establish a challenging target.
South Africa maintained a swift run-rate, averaging nearly a boundary per over during the first ten overs, prompting Australia to introduce Nathan Lyon even before the drinks break. Following the break, Markram reached the milestone of the partnership’s half-century, but Starc quickly made an impact by securing a wicket shortly thereafter. Switching to round the wicket proved effective as Mulder edged a full delivery to Marnus Labuschagne at cover, departing after a measured 27.
Temba Bavuma received an early lifeline on two when Steve Smith dropped the South African captain at wide first slip, injuring his hand in the process and eventually leaving the field. Nevertheless, Markram and Bavuma accelerated their scoring and efficiently rotated the strike to maintain a steady flow of runs. By the time of the Tea break, South Africa had edged slightly ahead, requiring just another 188 runs.
For the first time in three days, the pitch appeared favorable for batting, allowing the Australian tail to effectively hold off South Africa throughout most of the previous morning session. Starc lost Lyon early to Kagiso Rabada during this session, but found a strong partner in Josh Hazlewood, and together they added a crucial 63 runs for the last-wicket stand, bringing Australia to a total of 207 in their second innings.
Along the way, Starc patiently crafted a half-century from 132 balls, marking the eighth instance for a Test batter at number nine or lower, the highest record for any tailender, even though it included a fortunate edge that flew over the slips. Hazlewood contributed a significant 17 runs before falling to part-timer Aiden Markram just before Lunch.
Brief scores: Australia 212 & 207 lead South Africa 138 & 94/2 (Aiden Markram 49*; Mitchell Starc 2-37) by 188 runs.