Islamabad, June 14, 2025: Aiden Markram outstanding century placed South Africa within touching distance of a remarkable World Test Championship final win over Australia at Lord’s on Friday. South Africa reached the close on the third day at Lord’s on 213-2 in their second innings, needing just 69 runs to win with eight wickets in hand.
Opener Markram, dismissed for a duck in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 102, while skipper Temba Bavuma stood firm at 65 not out. Together, the pair do wonders and made a crucial 143-run stand, pushing their team closer to what would be the second-highest successful chase in a Test at Lord’s, after the West Indies 344 in 1984.
Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role for Australia, scoring an unbeaten 58 and grabbing two wickets — Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder — leaving South Africa at a tricky 70-2. He nearly had Bavuma too, but Steve Smith spilled a sharp chance at slip and left the field injured.
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With batting conditions improving under the sun, Markram counterattacked with flair, particularly against Pat Cummins. Bavuma, too, played some eye-catching strokes, including a straight drive off Cummins and a half-century reached in 83 balls.
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South Africa’s bowlers earlier wrapped up Australia’s second innings at 207, with Kagiso Rabada taking 4-59. Starc and Josh Hazlewood resisted late, adding 59 runs for the final wicket, before part-timer Aiden Markram broke through.
This Test could mark South Africa’s first major ICC title since 1998 if they hold their nerve.
