Markram ton, Bavuma fifty put SA on track for WTC title

Aiden Markram's majestic eighth Test Century, ably supported by a hobbling Temba Bavuma's 65 not out at the other end, put South Africa on the brink of glory as they went to stumps on 213/2, in a chase of 282, on Day 3 of the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's. Australia endured a wicket-less final session that saw South Africa make a terrific comeback and surge ahead, riding on the unbroken 143-run stand.

With the sun beating down in London and the wicket easing out, as Australia learnt in the morning session, runs flowed effortlessly when the batters applied themselves. Markram, first with Wiaan Mulder and later with Bavuma, steadied the chase after Mitchell Starc's two crucial strikes at the either end of the afternoon session.

As early as the start of the third over of the innings, 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 - mostly through covers - and respect the good ones in their 61-run alliance to revive South Africa's hopes. Their run-rate remained brisk at the start, with nearly a boundary an over for the first-10 overs, forcing Australia to bring on Nathan Lyon before the drinks break itself.

However, it was Starc who produced another breakthrough for Australia almost immediately upon his return into the attack with under 30 minutes to go for Tea. A change of angle from round the wicket clicked instantly as Mulder chipped a full delivery to Marnus Labuschagne at cover and fell after contributing a patient 27 off 50 deliveries. 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 that kept him off the field for the remainder of the day.

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 had nudged ahead in the race and the third-wicket partnership only grew stronger in the last session. The pair remained resolute in avoiding first-innings mistakes, and Australia's desperation for a break grew evident from the unorthodox fields deployed and the frequent use of part-time spin options once Lyon started getting prodigious turn. They even had the out-of-shape ball changed after the 53rd over, hoping to find some luck.

Bavuma, visibly in pain after a hamstring niggle ahead of Tea, raised a fighting half-century in 83 balls - his 25th in Test cricket - soon after the pair had reached the 100 of their partnership. Markram, who looked in brilliant touch all through his knock, quietly brought the target down to double digits at the other end. However, he took his own time in his 90s before flicking a Hazlewood delivery to midwicket to notch up arguably the finest hundred of his career across formats, in the penultimate over before stumps. Just 69 runs away, with eight wickets in hand and two set batters in the middle, South Africa finished the day firmly in control.

The Lord's pitch 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 on Day 3. Starc lost Lyon early to Kagiso Rabada in the session, but found an able ally in 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 - his eighth as 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 Markram at the stroke of Lunch, setting South Africa a target of 282.

Brief scores: South Africa 138 & 213/2 (Aiden Markram 102*, Temba Bavuma 65*; Mitchell Starc 2-53) need 69 runs to win against Australia 212 & 207.