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LONDON: South Africa opener Aiden Markram’s magnificent century against Australia put South Africa on the brink of glory at the end of the third day in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final here at Lord’s Cricket Ground on Friday.
South Africa ended the day’s play at 213-2, with 69 required to clinch the title. Markram stood firm on 102* off 159 balls while Temba Bavuma’s remained unbeaten with a gutsy 65* off 121 deliveries.
Both batters formed an excellent 143-run partnership which toiled Australian bowlers in front of a packed crowd in the all-important WTC final. Bavuma, despite cramping for most of the time during his innings, ensured that his team nearly reached a daunting target.
For Australia, Mitchell Starc was the only silver lining, taking two wickets while the rest of the bowlers failed to rise up to the occasion in batter-friendly conditions.
South Africa were 94-2 on the stroke of tea with Aiden Markaram and Captain Temba Bavuma standing firm.
South Africa had a poor start as they lost their opener, Ryan Rickelton (6), in only the second over. After an early wicket, Markaram and Wiaan Mulder forged a 61-run partnership.
The duo’s stand steadied South Africa, but not before Mulder’s wicket fell, as he was caught driving to covers. Mitchell Starc took his second wicket, ending Mulder’s gritty knock of 29 runs, reducing South Africa to 70-2.
Meanwhile, Markram kept finding the gaps with ease and helped his team in the hunt for the title at the stroke of tea.
Earlier, Australia’s lower-order batter Mitchell Starc’s vigil of 58* runs set South Africa 282 to win in the WTC final.
Australia began day three of their second innings with a score of 144 for 8, leading by 218 runs with Nathan Lyon (1) and Mitchell Starc (16) on the crease.
It was the third over of the morning when South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada trapped Lyon lbw, who could only add one run to his overnight score.
With an early wicket, the Proteas could soon wrap up Australia’s innings; however, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood forged a vital 59-run partnership which took the title holders into a commanding position.
Starc was the lead aggressor, reaching his 11th Test half-century while Hazlewood held firm at one end. The duo frustrated South Africa, scoring at 3.13 in an over.
Both players helped Australia stretch the lead past the 250-run mark, making it an uphill task for South Africa’s batters in the WTC final.
The partnership was finally broken just before lunch as Hazlewood was caught off Aiden Markram’s bowling. He scored 17 off 53 deliveries while Starc remained unbeaten on 58* off 136 balls.
For South Africa, it was Kagiso Rabada again, taking four wickets while Lungi Ngidi chipped in with three wickets.
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