South Africa's Steady Progress in WTC Final Against Australia
Day Three Highlights of the WTC Final
On June 13, during the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, South Africa found themselves in a promising position thanks to a solid partnership between Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder. By the end of the second session, the Proteas had reached 94/2, with skipper Temba Bavuma (11*) and Markram (49*) at the crease.
South Africa's chase of 282 runs began poorly when Mitchell Starc struck in the first over, dismissing Ryan Rickelton (6) caught behind by wicketkeeper Alex Carey, leaving the team at 9/1 after just 2.1 overs.
Markram and Mulder then formed a crucial partnership, displaying aggressive batting against Australia's pace attack, which included Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Starc. They brought up the team's 50 runs in just 12.2 overs.
Their 61-run partnership was broken by Starc, who caught Mulder at cover for 27 off 50 balls, including five boundaries, leaving South Africa at 70/2.
As the session progressed, Bavuma appeared to struggle with a left hamstring issue, while Steve Smith exited the field after a painful dropped catch. Nevertheless, Bavuma and Markram ended the session without losing any further wickets.
Earlier, Starc had played a remarkable innings, finishing not out on 58, helping Australia to a total of 207 all out, which set South Africa a target of 282 runs to end their ICC title drought. Australia aimed to bowl out South Africa to defend their WTC title.
Australia began Day 3 at 144/8, leading by 218 runs, with Starc and Nathan Lyon at the crease. Kagiso Rabada continued his excellent bowling form, dismissing Lyon early in the day.
Australia crossed the 150-run mark in the 43rd over, and Starc became the top scorer for Australia in the second innings, achieving a historic milestone as the first batter at number nine or lower to score a half-century in an ICC knockout match across all formats.
Starc's performance included eight half-centuries from the number nine position or lower in Tests, the highest by any player, surpassing England's Stuart Broad, who has six.
The partnership between Starc and Hazlewood added 50 runs for the last wicket before Markram dismissed Hazlewood for 17, concluding Australia's innings at 207 and giving them a lead of 281 runs.
Rabada (4/59) and Lungi Ngidi (3/38) were the standout bowlers for South Africa.
On Day 2, after a strong innings from wicketkeeper Carey (46 off 50 balls), Australia ended the day at 144/8, extending their lead to 218 runs after South Africa was bowled out for 138 in response to Australia's first innings total of 212.
Rabada and Ngidi's impressive bowling had initially put South Africa in a dominant position, reducing Australia to 73/7 before Carey's partnership with Starc helped stabilize the innings.
At the close of Day 2, Lyon (1*) and Starc (16*) were not out.
Brief Scores: Australia: 212 and 207 (Mitchell Starc 58*, Alex Carey 43, Kagiso Rabada 4/59) vs South Africa: 138 and 94/2 (Aiden Markram 49*, Wiaan Mulder 27, Mitchell Starc 2/37).