Aiden Markram leads South Africa's reply in run-chase

Aiden Markram led South Africa's reply in the chase of 282 with a solid 49* to take his team to Tea at 94 for 2 on Day 3 of the 2025 World Test Championship Final. After frustrating South Africa with the bat in the morning session to notch up a potentially game-changing fifty, Mitchell Starc struck two crucial blows with the ball in the chase as well to ensure Australia stayed on the Proteas' tail.

With the sun out in London, batting became easier and the second-wicket pair of Markram and Wiaan Mulder (27) forged a 61-run stand to help South Africa recover from an early loss. As early as in the third over, Ryan Rickelton needlessly chased a full outswinger from Starc and nicked behind to the 'keeper to fall for just six. But Mulder and Markram combined admirably to put the bad balls away through the covers and respect the good ones as they steadied the ship.

South Africa's run-rate remained brisk, and with nearly a boundary an over for the first 10 overs, Australia brought on Nathan Lyon before the drinks break itself. Markram raised the half-century of the partnership on the other side of the break, but Starc returned and produced a breakthrough almost immediately. A change of angle from round the wicket clicked instantly as Mulder chipped a full delivery to Marnus Labuschagne at cover to fall after a patient hand of 27.

Temba Bavuma got an early reprieve on two when Steve Smith dropped the South African skipper at wide first slip, injuring his hand in the process and walking off the field eventually. Markram and Bavuma, though, moved on quickly and rotated the strike effectively to keep the runs coming at a fair clip. By Tea, South Africa nudged a tad ahead with only 188 more needed.

The pitch has seemed batting-inclined for the first time in three days, and the Australian tail made the most of it to keep South Africa at bay for almost the entirety of the morning session earlier. Starc lost Lyon early to Kagiso Rabada in the session, but found an able ally in Josh Hazlewood to accumulate vital 63 runs together for the last-wicket stand that propelled Australia to 207 in their second innings.

En route, Starc wore down the South African attack with a patient 132-ball half-century - eighth from a Test batter at no. 9 or below, the highest for any tailender - even though it came with a streaky edge that flew over the slips. Hazlewood chipped in a valuable 17 at the other end before falling to part-timer Aiden Markram at the stroke of Lunch.

Brief scores: Australia 212 & 207 lead South Africa 138 & 94/2 (Aiden Markram 49*; Mitchell Starc 2-37) by 188 runs