Photo Credit: Reuters
As the sun sets over the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, the script of the ICC World Test Championship final has taken a dramatic turn. South Africa need 69 runs to win the ICC WTC final, and they’re on the cusp of rewriting cricketing history.
With an unbeaten century from opener Aiden Markram and a gritty half-century from skipper Temba Bavuma, South Africa have powered to 213/2 at stumps on Day 3, chasing a target of 282 set by Australia. For a nation that has long carried the burden of the “chokers” tag, this chase could mark their first major ICC triumph since the 1998 Champions Trophy.
Aiden Markram’s Moment of Redemption
Markram’s knock was not just technically flawless—it was deeply emotional. As he reached his hundred at the Home of Cricket, the 29-year-old was overcome with tears, momentarily forgetting to celebrate. Cameras captured former captain AB de Villiers in the stands, visibly moved and recording the moment on his phone. For a player once dropped from the side due to inconsistency, this innings symbolized redemption and resilience.
It was Markram’s eighth Test century but perhaps the most significant of his career. On a surface that had earlier challenged even the best batters, Markram weathered the storm, dispatching the loose deliveries and leaving with discipline. His 102* (so far) has been the cornerstone of South Africa’s second innings and one that has brought them within touching distance of glory.
The Chase: Method Over Madness
South Africa need 69 runs to win ICC WTC final, but they know all too well how close they’ve come before—only to stumble. The first few overs saw the Proteas lose Rickelton early, but from 70/2, the Markram-Bavuma duo stitched a mammoth 143-run stand. Bavuma, playing with a hamstring niggle, showed remarkable poise and composure, scoring an unbeaten 65.
The Australian attack, which had looked dominant throughout the tournament, suddenly appeared bereft of ideas. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc bowled with intent but couldn’t find the breakthroughs. Nathan Lyon, who was expected to be a key figure on Day 3, failed to extract much turn, and the Proteas capitalized.
Pressure, History and the Ghosts of the Past
This isn’t just about a cricket match. It’s about years of heartache, of failed semi-finals, of last-ball defeats, of Duckworth-Lewis heartbreaks. South Africa have always had the players but never quite the finish. Now, they find themselves in a situation where just 69 runs separate them from ending that narrative once and for all.
Coach Shukri Conrad has urged the team to keep it simple. “Nothing changes—just play your cricket, play every ball on merit,” he told reporters. Assistant coach Ashwell Prince added: “They know what this means—not just for the squad but for South African cricket as a whole.”
Australia’s Grit, But Is It Enough?
To their credit, Australia haven’t given up. Starc, who scored a valiant 58* in the second innings to help post a respectable total, has kept the energy levels high. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were seen rallying the troops as the day wore on. But with the pitch flattening and the Proteas batters looking untroubled, the Baggy Greens will need nothing short of a miracle on Day 4.
The Final Stretch
As we enter what could be the final day of this historic WTC final, all eyes are on Markram and Bavuma. Will they hold their nerve? Will South Africa finally shed the weight of expectations and past failures?
South Africa need 69 runs to win ICC WTC final—a number that will be etched in every fan’s mind overnight. But in cricket, the final steps are often the hardest. One session of brilliance from Australia, or one lapse from the Proteas, could still flip the story. But if Day 3 was any indication, Markram and company are scripting a different ending this time.
