Aiden Markram struck a majestic century to place South Africa on the cusp of their first-ever World Test Championship title, as they closed day three at Lord’s on 213-2, just 69 runs shy of a famous win over Australia with eight wickets in hand.
The opener, who had fallen for a duck in the first innings, redeemed himself in style with a composed and attacking 102 not out. Skipper Temba Bavuma offered staunch support with a gritty 65*, batting through discomfort from a hamstring injury as the pair forged an unbroken partnership of 143.
Their stand has put South Africa within touching distance of what would be the second-highest successful run chase ever recorded at the iconic ground. Only the West Indies’ 344-1 against England in 1984 surpasses the 282 South Africa are chasing.
Despite their commanding position, South Africa are wary of premature celebrations given their long history of falling short in major ICC tournaments — their only senior men’s title came back in 1998. Fans remain cautious against a seasoned Australian side that are defending WTC champions and known for late turnarounds.
“There was great joy in the changing room for Aiden’s hundred, and his partnership with Temba is one of the finest in South African cricket,” said batting coach Ashwell Prince.
“But the job is not yet done.”
All-rounder Wiaan Mulder added that a fearless mindset was key to Friday’s improved batting performance after the Proteas were dismissed for just 138 in their first innings.
“We had to go for it, regardless of what Australia posted,” Mulder told Sky Sports.
“There was a lot less fear of failure.”
Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc appeared to have turned the tide in Australia’s favour with a blistering all-round performance. The left-armer struck an unbeaten 58 to steer Australia to 207 in their second innings and then made early inroads with the ball, removing Ryan Rickelton (6) and Mulder (27) to leave South Africa wobbling at 70-2.
He nearly added Bavuma’s wicket too, but a sharp edge was dropped by Steve Smith at slip, who then left the field nursing a finger injury. The miss proved costly as Bavuma and Markram took full advantage of increasingly benign batting conditions under sunny skies.
Markram looked confident and purposeful throughout, finding boundaries off Pat Cummins with elegant punches and pulls. Bavuma, though visibly in pain, played with trademark resolve and timed his strokes beautifully, including a textbook drive off Cummins that drew applause.
Australia’s bowlers toiled hard but were visibly missing Smith’s leadership, and spinner Nathan Lyon came close on two occasions — one delivery spinning past both Markram and keeper Alex Carey, and another that Bavuma slog-swept just past a diving fielder.
Bavuma brought up his half-century in 83 balls, showing immense resilience, while Markram raised his ton with a stylish flick through midwicket for his 11th boundary after earlier drilling Hazlewood straight down the ground.
The day had started brightly for South Africa, with Kagiso Rabada trapping Lyon lbw to leave Australia on 148-9. But Starc and Josh Hazlewood frustrated the Proteas with a 59-run last-wicket stand before part-time spinner Markram ended it, having Hazlewood caught in the deep.
Rabada finished with 4-59 in the innings and nine wickets in the match, underlining his status as one of the premier fast bowlers in the world.
South Africa now stand on the brink of burying decades of heartbreak and rewriting their legacy in world cricket — if they can just see the chase through.
