South Africa are just 69 runs away from rewriting the record books at the Home of Cricket after Aiden Markram’s fighting century and a gutsy knock from captain Temba Bavuma left Australia stunned in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on Friday. At stumps on Day 3, the Proteas were 213 for 2, hunting down 282 for a historic win — which would be the second-highest successful run chase in a Test at Lord’s and the highest in more than four decades. Markram, who was out for a duck in the first innings, showed nerves of steel to remain unbeaten on 102. Bavuma, battling a limp due to a hamstring niggle, stood tall alongside him on 65 not out. Together, they have stitched a match-defining stand of 143 that has given South Africa a real shot at shedding their ‘chokers’ tag in ICC finals.
For a side that last lifted an ICC trophy back in 1998 and has a painful history of heartbreaks, victory at Lord’s would mean much more than just silverware. “Aiden’s hundred and this partnership with Temba is right up there in our cricketing history, but the job is not done yet,” batting coach Ashwell Prince reminded fans, keeping the excitement in check.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Stat alert: Only four times has a target above 200 been chased down successfully at Lord’s — none bigger than West Indies’ epic 342-run chase back in 1984.HIGHEST SUCCESSFUL RUN-CHASE AT LORD’S IN TESTSTarget: 342 by West Indies (344/1) vs England, 1984Target: 282 by England (282/3) vs New Zealand, 2004Target: 277 by England (279/5) vs New Zealand, 2022Target: 216 by England (218/3) vs New Zealand, 1965Target: 191 by England (193/5) vs West Indies, 2012 Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc seemed to have Australia on course with a quickfire fifty and two quick wickets with the ball. But once the Lord’s sun came out, batting conditions eased and the Proteas pair batted with freedom and fearlessness — exactly what young all-rounder Wiaan Mulder said was the game plan after their first-innings flop show. Australia, the reigning WTC champions, still have a sniff — they’ll hope the second new ball can break this stand early on Day 4. But for now, all eyes are on Markram and Bavuma as South Africa stand 69 runs away from a piece of history that has eluded them for far too long. Day 4 promises edge-of-the-seat drama. Can South Africa finish the job? The cricket world holds its breath.
