South Africa Edges Closer to World Test Championship Glory with Stellar Batting

South Africa's Path to Victory

On Friday, South Africa moved closer to clinching the World Test Championship (WTC) title, with former captain Graeme Smith praising the team's batting display against Australia at Lord's. After two days of intense bowling from both teams, resulting in 28 wickets, it was the South African bowlers who managed to dismiss Australia during a crucial phase of the match. This set the stage for the Proteas' batsmen to take control, inching them closer to breaking their 27-year ICC trophy drought.

With only 69 runs needed for victory, South Africa will resume on Day 4 with Aiden Markram (102 not out) and Temba Bavuma (65 not out), who have already formed a solid partnership of 143 runs for the third wicket.

Smith's Praise for the Batting Effort

During the ICC's Digital Daily, Smith expressed admiration for the Proteas' performance, particularly highlighting Bavuma's leadership. He noted the match's fluctuating nature, stating, "We've witnessed many ups and downs in this Test match. South Africa has shown resilience, coming back from a 75-run deficit in the first innings. Their batting has been exceptional."

Smith remarked on the pitch's changing conditions, saying, "Initially, the pitch seemed to favor the Australian pace attack, but it lost its liveliness. South Africa worked hard to secure those two wickets. Markram's innings and his partnership with Bavuma were crucial, and now they need just 69 runs to secure the World Test Championship."

Markram's Key Role in the Chase

Smith emphasized Markram's importance in the chase, noting his aggressive batting style. He stated, "I believed from the start that Markram would be pivotal for South Africa. He plays positively and keeps the scoreboard moving. His performance today was remarkable, especially after a duck in the first innings. Under pressure, he delivered when it mattered most."

Smith concluded by acknowledging the significance of the partnership between Markram and Bavuma, saying, "They should take a moment to celebrate their achievements tonight, even as they prepare for the final push to victory."