New Delhi: 

South Africa are closing in on a historic win against Australia in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London as they remain only 69 runs away from winning their maiden title. However, Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori has issued a warning to the Proteas, stating that the final is far from over yet.

Markram, Bavuma take South Africa closer to victory:

Having bowled out South Africa for 138 runs in their first innings, Australia looked in a strong position in the WTC final after a 59-run stand for the 10th wicket between half-centurion Mitchell Starc (58) and Josh Hazlewood (17) helped them post 207 runs in their second innings to set up a target of 282 runs for South Africa.

In reply, South Africa got off to a shaky start as they lost opener Ryan Rickelton cheaply on 6 off 8 balls. However, Markram combined with Wiaan Mulder to add 61 runs for the second wicket and get South Africa back in the game. After Mulder’s dismissal in the 18th over, Bavuma joined Markram in the middle, and the duo shared an unbeaten stand of 143 runs for the third wicket to take South Africa closer to victory.

Markram and Bavuma produced a batting masterclass against the quality Australian pace attack and held their own under pressure. Markram notched up 102 off 159 balls, while Bavuma scored a gritty 65 to ensure South Africa ended with 213/2 at stumps on Day 3, only 69 runs away from a historic win in the final.

Aiden Markram’s unbeaten ton and skipper Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten half-century in their second innings put South Africa within touching distance of a victory at Lord’s on Day 3 of the WTC final on Friday. However, the job is not yet done for the Proteas, who need 69 more runs to win on Day 4. Vettori feels Australia still have a chance of bouncing back in the contest.

Speaking at the post-match press conference on Friday, Vettori said it is a matter of just one wicket as he expressed confidence in Australia’s chances in the game. The Australian assistant coach emphasised that taking early wickets on Day 4 will be the key to Australia’s chances of making a comeback in the game.

“I think there’ll be no desire to get ahead of ourselves. I think it’s one wicket — that’s the starting point. And because these two are in such control, if we can get a new batsman to the crease, then that’s the start of it.

So I don’t think there’ll be any thinking around how to get eight dismissals — it’ll be simply about getting one and seeing what can happen from there,” Vettori said.

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