Australia vs South Africa WTC 2025: Markram’s Ton Puts Proteas on the Edge of Glory
Lord’s Cricket Ground, June 13, 2025—South Africa stands on the cusp of history in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, needing just 69 runs to dethrone defending champions Australia and claim their first Test mace. Aiden Markram’s unbeaten 102 and Temba Bavuma’s gritty 65 have propelled the Proteas to 213/2 at stumps on Day 3, setting the stage for a potentially defining moment in South African cricket. With an unbroken 143-run partnership, the duo has defied Australia’s formidable bowling attack and a challenging 282-run target, bringing their nation tantalizingly close to a maiden WTC triumph. This article delves into the day’s drama, key performances, and what lies ahead on Day 4.
Day 3: South Africa’s Surge
The third day of the WTC Final began with Australia at 144/8 in their second innings, holding a 218-run lead. South Africa’s bowlers, led by Kagiso Rabata, struck early, dismissing Nathan Lyon to end a frustrating 59-run last-wicket stand between Mitchell Starc (50) and Josh Hazlewood. Markram himself claimed the final wicket, trapping Hazelwood at cover, as Australia folded for 207, setting South Africa a target of 282. While daunting, the target seemed achievable on a pitch that flattened under sunny conditions, a stark contrast to the bowler-friendly chaos of the first two days, which saw 14 wickets fall each.
South Africa’s chase started shakily. Mitchell Stark, Australia’s spearhead, removed Ryan Ricketson for 6, leaving the Proteas at 20/1. However, Markram, fresh off a first-innings duck, found an able partner in Wean Mulder, who scored a composed 27. Their 63-run stand steadied the innings until Marnus Labuschagne’s sharp catch off Stark dismissed Mulder at 83/2. Enter Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s captain, nursing a hamstring injury but brimming with resolve. What followed was a masterclass in concentration and resilience, as Markram and Bavuma forged an unbeaten partnership that tilted the game decisively in South Africa’s favor.
Markram’s Redemption
Aiden Markram’s century was the cornerstone of South Africa’s dominance on Day 3. After a lean patch—his last hundred came 16 innings ago—the opener delivered when it mattered most. His 102 not out off 159 balls was a blend of elegance and grit, featuring crisp drives, deft cuts, and resolute defense against Australia’s top-tier attack, boasting over 1,500 Test wickets collectively. Markram’s positivity shone early, with a cover drive in the fifth over signaling his intent. He survived close calls, including a sharp-turning delivery from Travis Head that narrowly missed his stumps and a Nathan Lyon beauty that beat him through the gate.
South Africa’s batting coach, Ashwell Prince, hailed Markram as a “man for the big occasion,” crediting a minor technical tweak for his resurgence. “We always knew he had this in him,” Prince said, reflecting on Markram’s ability to rise under pressure, as seen in his previous fourth-innings centuries against Australia (2018) and Pakistan (2021), albeit in losing causes. This time, Markram’s knock, lauded by fans on X as “a knock for the ages,” has positioned South Africa to rewrite history.
Bavuma’s Brave Stand
Temba Bavuma’s 65 not out off 121 balls was equally pivotal, defined by courage as much as skill. Hampered by a strained left hamstring, Bavuma’s running was restricted, yet his batting remained uncompromised. He swept Lyon with precision, drove with assurance, and anchored the innings alongside Markram. A dropped catch by Steve Smith at slip off Starc, when Bavuma was on 2, proved costly for Australia. Smith, later hospitalized for a finger injury sustained in the attempt, left the field, further denting Australia’s morale.
Bavuma’s half-century, reached with a single off Lyon, drew rapturous applause from South African fans at Lord’s. His partnership with Markram, described by teammate Wean Mulder as “something special,” showcased tactical acumen and mental fortitude. South Africa’s batting chief, Ashwell Prince, called it a “defining moment” for Bavuma, whose leadership and grit have galvanized the team. Despite physical limitations, Bavuma’s sweep shots and boundary drives kept the scoreboard ticking, bringing the target within reach.
Australia’s Fading Hopes
Australia, led by Pat Cummins, fought valiantly but found little assistance from the pitch on Day 3. Stark (2/53) was the pick of the bowlers, but Lyon’s spin struggled to exploit the rough, and Cummins and Hazelwood couldn’t replicate their first-innings menace. The absence of Smith, a key fielder and strategist, compounded their woes. Australia’s assistant coach, Daniel Vittore, acknowledged Markram’s “exceptional” knock but noted the unexpectedly batsman-friendly conditions, which saw only four wickets fall compared to 28 over the first two days.
X posts reflected Australia’s despair, with fans lamenting the game “slipping away” despite the team’s character. Australia now needs a miraculous Day 4 performance—perhaps early wickets from Starc or Lyon—to salvage their title defense. The odds, however, favor South Africa, who hold eight wickets in hand.
The Road to History
South Africa’s journey to this moment has been remarkable. After topping the WTC standings with seven straight Test wins, they prepared meticulously, roping in Stuart Broad as a bowling consultant and honing their skills against Zimbabwe in a warm-up match. Their squad, featuring Tony de Zori, Kagiso Rabata, and Keshav Maharaj, has blended youth and experience under coach Shukri Conrad and captain Bauman. Rabata’s 5/51 in Australia’s first innings and Markram’s heroics have justified their pre-final optimism, expressed by Markram himself on June 5, when he hoped to continue 2025’s trend of breaking trophy droughts.
For South Africa, a nation with a rich cricketing heritage but no major Test silverware, victory would be transformative. The Proteas’ fans, raucous in the Lord’s stands, sense history beckoning. A minute’s silence before play, honoring victims of a plane crash in India, added emotional weight to the day, underscoring the significance of this match beyond sport.
What Lies Ahead
Day 4 promises high drama. South Africa needs 69 runs, a task that seems straightforward with Markram and Bavuma set and the pitch offering little to bowlers. However, cricket’s unpredictability looms large. An early wicket could expose South Africa’s middle order—David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, or Kyle Verreynne—to pressure, especially if Lyon finds turn or Starc swings the ball. Weather, expected to be clear, shouldn’t disrupt play, leaving South Africa with ample time to complete the chase.
Australia, meanwhile, must channel their 2023 WTC Final resilience, when they defended their title against India. Cummins will likely lean on Stark and Lyon to strike early, hoping to spark a collapse. The psychological blow of Smith’s injury and the flat pitch, however, tilts the scales against them.
A Defining Moment
The WTC Final 2025 has lived up to its billing as a clash of titans. Markram’s century, Baume’s defiance, and South Africa’s relentless pursuit of 282 have set the stage for a potentially historic triumph. As Lord’s prepares for Day 4, the cricketing world watches with bated breath. Will South Africa seize their moment, or can Australia summon one last fightback? For now, the Proteas, led by Markram’s ton, stand on the edge of glory, ready to etch their name in Test cricket’s annals.
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, The Guardian, BBC Sport, ICC-cricket.com, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, News18, and posts on X, accessed June 14, 2025.
Last Updated on: Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:45 am by Sai Karthik Munnuru | Published by: Sai Karthik Munnuru on Saturday, June 14, 2025 10:45 am | News Categories: Latest News, Trending
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