South Africa stands on the cusp of a historic victory in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 against Australia at Lord's, needing just 69 more runs with eight wickets in hand on Day 4. A masterful century from Aiden Markram and a resilient half-century from captain Temba Bavuma have put the Proteas in a commanding position to end their ICC title drought.
After Australia were dismissed for 207 in their second innings, setting South Africa a target of 282, the Proteas' chase began nervously. Mitchell Starc removed Ryan Rickelton early, and Wiaan Mulder departed after a promising start, leaving South Africa at 70-2. However, Markram and Bavuma combined to form an unbroken partnership of 143 runs, seizing control of the match.
Aiden Markram's century was a display of class and composure. It was his eighth Test century and the first by a South African in an ICC tournament final. Keshav Maharaj lauded Markram as a "big-match player," noting his determination to make amends for his first-innings dismissal. Markram's innings has drawn praise from across the cricketing world, with even Virat Kohli's old tweet from 2018 praising Markram resurfacing and going viral.
Equally crucial has been the contribution of captain Temba Bavuma, who battled through a hamstring injury to remain unbeaten on 65. Despite the injury restricting his movement, Bavuma's resilience and determination inspired his team. Ashwell Prince, South Africa's batting coach, acknowledged Bavuma's innings as a "defining moment" in his career, highlighting his leadership qualities in the face of adversity. It was revealed that Bavuma refused to retire hurt, showing his commitment to stay and fight alongside Markram.
Australia's bowlers, including the formidable quartet of Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood and Lyon, tried relentlessly to break the Markram-Bavuma partnership, but the South African pair stood firm. A dropped catch by Steve Smith, which also resulted in a finger injury that ruled him out of the remainder of the match, further compounded Australia's woes.
However, the weather could play a role on Day 4. The forecast suggests cloudy skies and a chance of light showers in the morning session. While no heavy downpours are expected, any interruption could add to the tension. In the event of significant delays, a reserve day has been scheduled.
As South Africa aim to complete the chase, they will be wary of their history of faltering in crucial moments in ICC tournaments. However, with Markram and Bavuma at the crease, they have a golden opportunity to break the jinx and lift their first WTC title.
