By Kevin Rademeyer.
@GalloImages.
South Africa stands just 69 runs away from etching their name into cricket folklore, after Aiden Markram’s sublime century and a gritty, unbeaten 65 from captain Temba Bavuma carried them to 213 for 2 at stumps on Day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s.
In pursuit of 282, the second-highest fourth innings chase at this iconic ground, the Proteas defied history, fatigue, and pressure with a composed and courageous partnership worth 143 runs. Now, with eight wickets in hand and favourable conditions on a docile pitch, they are on the brink of their first ICC trophy since 1998.
The day belonged to Markram. His innings, full of poise, timing and understated authority, culminated in a crisp whip to the midwicket boundary off Hazlewood to bring up his hundred—his eighth in Tests, but arguably his most significant. He spent 23 tense deliveries in the 90s before reaching three figures in the penultimate over, and his celebration was in relief as much as it was in jubilation.
“This is one of the best hundreds I’ve scored, “Markram later admitted. “We talked about taking away the fear of failure. There was clarity today. We wanted to put away the bad balls. It was a super session.”
While Markram’s brilliance was the headline, Bavuma’s resilience underpinned the day’s story. Battling a visibly troublesome hamstring, the South African skipper, dropped on 2 by Steve Smith, who dislocated his finger in the process, refused to be subdued. He offered one half-chance when a slog sweep off Lyon dropped short of the fielder, but otherwise played with maturity and assurance. His half-century came off 83 balls, bringing the South African dressing room to its feet.
Earlier in the day, Australia had begun with a 207-run second innings total, thanks largely to Mitchell Starc’s unbeaten 58. Starc and Hazlewood had added stubborn runs, but Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi ensured the target remained within reach, Rabada finishing with nine wickets in the match.
Starc then removed both Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder to give Australia a sniff. But the partnership between Markram and Bavuma wrested back complete control. Their calm, authoritative batting stood in stark contrast to the dramatic collapses of the first three innings in the match.
Australia’s bowling lacked the bite and imagination required on a flattening Lord’s surface. Pat Cummins, usually a master of tactical tweaks, looked short of answers. The change of ball late in the day, often a turning point in such contests, did nothing to shift the tide.
Tomorrow, South Africa will have history in their sights. Should they cross the remaining 69 runs, it will mark the joint second highest successful chase at Lord’s and finally put an end to their long wait for an ICC crown. But the job is not done, Australia will know they must remove both men at the crease, and early, to conjure any chance of turning the tide. Much may depend on Nathan Lyon, whose experience and guile could yet find life on this wearing pitch.
But if Markram and Bavuma’s composure under pressure is any indication, this may be South Africa’s moment.
The final day of the World Test Championship Final promises either heartbreak or history.
Day 3 Summary – WTC Final 2025 at Lord’s
Australia: 212 all out (Webster 72, Smith 66; Rabada 5/51) & 207 all out (Starc 58*, Carey 43; Rabada 4/59, Ngidi 3/38)
South Africa: 138 all out (Bedingham 45, Bavuma 36; Cummins 6/28) & 213/2 (Markram 102*, Bavuma 65*; Starc 2/53).