5 days ago
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South Africa are eyeing their first major global trophy after a heroic partnership between opener Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma thwarted Australia on a tense third afternoon of the World Test Championship final.
With the South Africans chasing a tricky 282, Markram atoned for his first-innings duck with a superb unbeaten 102, while Bavuma hobbled for much of his 65 not out after hurting his hamstring.
At stumps, they were 213 for two, and contemplating history. Only the kind of choke that has become their trademark down the years can deny them now.
The crucial moment of the innings – and perhaps the Test – came when Steve Smith, fielding closer than normal at first slip because of the slowness of the pitch, dropped Bavuma on two off Mitchell Starc, and suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger in the process.
While Smith headed to hospital in agony, Markram and Bavuma set about a stand so far worth 143.
Only once before has a team successfully chased more to win a Lord’s Test than the 282 South Africa need here: in 1984, Gordon Greenidge hit an unbeaten 214 to propel West Indies to a target of 342 and a remarkable nine-wicket win.
Pat Cummins' Australia are on the brink of defeat in the World Test Championship final
South Africa opener Aiden Markram hit an unbeaten century at Lord's on Friday
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma overcame a hamstring injury to hit an unbeaten 65
Given what is at stake in this game, and the quality of the opposition, South Africa’s chase would trump even that.
‘The chase took away the fear of failure,’ said Wiaan Mulder, whose punchy 27 from No 3 gave the pursuit early momentum. ‘Our coach Shukri Conrad said we’ll have to go after the target whatever it is. It was a super-special partnership between Markram and Bavuma. They’ve pushed themselves.’
Earlier, Australia’s last-wicket pair of Starc, who made 58 not out, and Josh Hazlewood appeared to have given their side the buffer they needed, adding 59 to help transform a second-day score of 73 for seven into a total of 207.
And when Starc had Ryan Rickelton caught behind for six, edging a wide half-volley, the Australians grew in confidence.
But Mulder put on a priceless 61 with Markram before driving Starc to extra cover for 27, and the third-wicket pair took advantage of a lack of cloud cover, an ageing ball and a tiring pitch. Now, South Africa just need to keep their heads.
