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Aiden Markram stood firm on the Lord’s balcony of pressure, steering South Africa to 94 for 2 by tea on Day 3 as they inch closer to an elusive world title. The right-hander walked in with ghosts of the past hanging in the air and walked off with 49 not out, unflinching and unspectacular—but incredibly vital.
Set 282 to win by Australia, this was never going to be a stroll. But as shadows lengthened across the slope at Lord’s, South Africa found, if not dominance, at least stability. More than anything, they looked like a team that believed.
Markram’s Poise Stiffens South Africa’s Spine
Chasing a total of this magnitude in a final is treacherous business. Early nerves were evident. But Markram’s calmness helped recalibrate the mood after the early loss of Ryan Rickelton, who edged Starc behind for just six.
Wiaan Mulder, promoted up the order to lend ballast, stuck around for 27, even pulling a couple of short balls with authority. But just as a partnership started to build, Mitchell Starc returned with the old ball to remove him, caught trying to glide one down to third.
That could have triggered panic. Instead, Markram remained rooted. His stroke selection was measured, his footwork decisive. More importantly, he seemed entirely unaffected by the magnitude of the occasion. Not for the first time, he was South Africa’s most composed man on the field.
Bavuma Hobbles, But Refuses to Fall
The most gripping image of the session, though, came not from the bat, but from Temba Bavuma’s left hamstring. Sprinting through for a single early in his innings, the Proteas captain pulled up visibly, clutching his thigh.
Play halted. The physio rushed out. And there was a pause—not just in the action, but in the whole ground—as if all of South Africa held its breath.
He could’ve retired hurt. Many thought he would. But Bavuma chose to continue. With his thigh tightly strapped, he soldiered on, running only when absolutely necessary, guarding his end like a man defending something more than just a score. By tea, he was on 11 not out. But his real contribution can’t be measured on the scorecard.
Starc Keeps Aussies in It, Just
Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc had already proved his worth with the bat. His unbeaten 58 off 86 balls, including three boundaries and a pulled six off Coetzee, dragged Australia to 281 in their second innings. It was the tail’s resistance—especially the 59-run tenth-wicket stand with Josh Hazlewood—that made sure Australia had something to bowl at.
That late-order surge, to be fair, shifted momentum. For much of the morning, South Africa had looked on course to keep the target below 250. But Starc’s counterattack and Hazlewood’s grit stretched the game wide open.
With the ball, Starc was sharp. He got movement early, then struck just as South Africa were starting to settle. Rickelton’s wicket came via a probing line outside off. Mulder’s dismissal—a loose shot against the angle—was more of a gift, but a timely one.
Cummins Searches, But Lord’s Remains Silent
Pat Cummins, who entered the match just three wickets shy of 300 in Tests, hit that milestone earlier in the day. But during South Africa’s second innings, the Australian captain toiled without reward. He beat the bat more than once, but Markram and Bavuma kept their nerve.
As the session wore on and the ball lost its shine, Cummins turned to Nathan Lyon, hoping spin might unravel things. But there was little purchase. The sun had softened the pitch. The famed Lord’s slope wasn’t doing much either.
Australia’s fielders, usually buzzing, were starting to look a touch flat. There were a couple of misfields, a dropped return chance that didn’t quite carry—it all felt a little uneasy.
Bigger Than a Scorecard
This match has never been just about numbers. For South Africa, it’s about redemption. About erasing the ghosts of Sydney ’92, Birmingham ’99, Auckland ’15. About a captain playing half-injured and refusing to leave. About a team that has come together at the right time.
For Australia, it’s about pride. They’re defending champions. They’ve fought back before. They’ll fight again. But as things stand, they’re up against a side that’s playing with more hunger than flair—and that might just be enough.
What’s Next?
South Africa still need 188 more runs. Australia need eight wickets. But more than that, they need a way back into the game. Whether that comes via reverse swing, bounce from Hazlewood, or magic from Lyon—something will have to give.
The final session of Day 3 might not decide the match. But it could decide who sleeps easier tonight.
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