To retain the World Test Championship title, Australia need 8 wickets. South Africa, on the other hand, are just 69 runs away from a historic victory.
While 28 wickets fell across the first two days, day three told a different story—thanks to a gritty lower-order stand led by Mitchell Starc. Alongside Josh Hazlewood, Starc dragged Australia past the 200-run mark. Their efforts set South Africa a target of nearly 300 in the WTC final. And powered by Aiden Markram’s century, Temba Bavuma’s team now stands within striking distance.
At the end of day three at Lord’s on Friday, South Africa could sense the trophy. Chasing 282, they finished the day on 213 for 2.
Markram is unbeaten on 102, bringing up his eighth career century. His fluent 159-ball knock included 11 boundaries. At the other end, captain Bavuma is on 65, having faced 121 balls and hit five fours in a composed innings. Together, they’ve shared an unbroken 143-run stand off 232 deliveries.
Just 69 more runs separate South Africa from a famous win, while Australia must take 8 wickets to retain their WTC crown.
After 14 wickets fell on each of the first two days, only 4 wickets tumbled on day three—a shift in momentum that has firmly placed South Africa in control.
In their chase, South Africa lost Ryan Rickelton early. He nicked a Mitchell Starc delivery to the keeper.
Markram, aggressive from the outset, stitched a 61-run partnership with all-rounder Wiaan Mulder. Starc returned to break the stand by removing Mulder, which turned out to be Australia’s only success of the day.
Bavuma began his innings cautiously, but with Markram scoring freely at the other end, the Proteas skipper settled in without pressure. Once set, he too began to play his shots.
Their near-150-run partnership has left Australia frustrated and handed South Africa the upper hand in the match.
Despite taking two wickets, Starc proved expensive. The other pacers—Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood—struggled for swing and were largely ineffective on the day.
Australia, resuming on 144 for 8, lost Nathan Lyon early and looked likely to fold under 150.
But Starc and Hazlewood added 59 for the final wicket—setting a record for the highest last-wicket stand in an ICC tournament final. They pushed Australia past 200 before Hazlewood fell to Markram, caught by Keshav Maharaj.
Starc remained unbeaten on 58 from 190 minutes at the crease, including five boundaries. He became the first batter in ICC knockout history to score a fifty batting at No. 9 or lower.
Still, by stumps, it was South Africa who walked off with momentum and hope. The Markram-Bavuma partnership has kept their title dream well alive.
Score Summary (End of Day 3)
Australia 1st Innings: 212
South Africa 1st Innings: 138
Australia 2nd Innings: (144/8 overnight) 207 in 65 overs
Starc 58*, Hazlewood 17, Lyon 2; Rabada 4/59, Ngidi 3/38, Jansen 1/58, Mulder 1/18, Markram 1/5
South Africa 2nd Innings: Target 282
213/2 in 56 overs
Markram 102*, Bavuma 65*, Rickelton 6, Mulder 27; Starc 2/53
