The World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 at Lord’s, London, has turned into a nail-biting contest between Australia and South Africa. On Day 3, South Africa’s Aiden Markram stole the show with a stunning century, putting his team just 69 runs away from a historic victory. With captain Temba Bavuma battling through injury to score an unbeaten 65, the Proteas are now in a strong position to lift their first-ever ICC trophy in 27 years. For Indian cricket fans, this match is a reminder of the thrilling chases we’ve seen in our own Test battles, and it’s shaping up to be a classic!
A Tough Chase Begins
Australia set South Africa a challenging target of 282 runs to win the WTC Final. Chasing such a big score in the fourth innings at Lord’s is no easy task—only three times in history has a team managed to chase over 250 runs at this iconic ground. The pitch had been tricky, with 28 wickets falling across the first two days, making South Africa’s job look even tougher. Indian fans will recall similar tense moments, like India’s epic 328-run chase against England at Chennai in 2008.
South Africa’s chase got off to a shaky start when Mitchell Starc dismissed opener Ryan Rickelton for just 6 runs. At 20/1, the Proteas were under pressure, facing Australia’s world-class bowling attack led by Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins. But Aiden Markram, who had scored a duck in the first innings, had other plans.
Markram’s Masterclass
Aiden Markram walked out to bat with a point to prove. The 30-year-old opener had been struggling for consistency in Test cricket, but on June 13, 2025, he played the innings of his life. Markram’s unbeaten 102 runs off 159 balls was a perfect blend of patience and aggression. He started cautiously, respecting the good deliveries from Starc and Cummins, but soon found his rhythm with crisp drives and elegant cuts.
One of the standout moments came when Markram flicked a full delivery from Hazlewood through midwicket to bring up his century in the second-last over of the day. The Lord’s crowd, including many South African fans, erupted in cheers. For Indian fans, it was a moment that echoed Virat Kohli’s gritty centuries in tough chases, like his 141 against Australia in Adelaide in 2014.
Markram’s knock was historic for another reason—he became the first South African batter to score a century in an ICC final and the first to score a fourth-innings ton in a WTC Final. His 11 boundaries showed his class, especially a late cut off Starc that sliced perfectly between two fielders. Social media buzzed with praise, with fans calling him a “generational talent” and comparing his knock to some of the great Test innings.
Bavuma’s Brave Fight
At the other end, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma played a crucial role despite battling a hamstring injury. Bavuma strained his left hamstring early in his innings, which made running between the wickets painful. Yet, he showed incredible grit, scoring an unbeaten 65 off 121 balls. His pulls and sweeps kept the scoreboard ticking, and his partnership with Markram—143 runs and counting—has been the highest of the match so far.
Bavuma’s determination reminded Indian fans of Cheteshwar Pujara’s stubborn resistance in tough conditions, like his 77 in Sydney in 2019. Despite a dropped catch by Steve Smith at slip, which left Smith with a finger injury, Bavuma stayed focused. South Africa’s batting coach, Ashwell Prince, called it a “defining moment” in Bavuma’s career, and fans agreed, with one X post saying, “Bavuma is the Kolisi of cricket!” referring to South Africa’s rugby hero Siya Kolisi.
Australia’s Fightback Falls Short
Earlier in the day, Australia’s tail had frustrated South Africa. Starting at 144/8, Mitchell Starc’s gritty half-century (his first in Tests in six years) and a 59-run last-wicket stand with Josh Hazlewood pushed Australia’s lead to 281. Kagiso Rabada was the star with the ball for South Africa, finishing with nine wickets in the match, including four in the second innings. Indian fans would compare Rabada’s fiery spell to Jasprit Bumrah’s relentless bowling in the 2021 England series.
But as the pitch flattened out on Day 3, South Africa’s batters made the most of it. Australia’s bowlers, despite their experience, struggled to break the Markram-Bavuma partnership. Pat Cummins tried everything, but the Proteas duo stood firm. A key moment came when Steve Smith dropped Bavuma at slip, a costly miss that left Australia on the back foot.
What’s Next?
South Africa ended Day 3 at 213/2, needing just 69 runs to win with eight wickets in hand. With Markram and Bavuma still at the crease, the Proteas are favorites to wrap up the victory early on Day 4. However, Australia’s bowlers are known for their never-say-die attitude, and Starc or Cummins could still produce a miracle. Indian fans will remember Australia’s fightback in the 2019 World Cup semi-final against South Africa, so nothing is certain yet.
For South Africa, this is a chance to end a 27-year wait for an ICC trophy. The Proteas have come close before but never clinched a major title in men’s cricket. A win at Lord’s, the “Home of Cricket,” would be a dream come true for their fans. For Indian viewers, it’s a chance to witness history, as South Africa aims to do what India did in 2023—chase down a big target to win the WTC.
Why This Matters
This match is more than just a game. For South Africa, it’s about breaking a long-standing jinx and proving they belong at the top. For Indian fans, it’s a reminder of the beauty of Test cricket—grit, skill, and drama all rolled into one. Markram’s century and Bavuma’s courage have set the stage for a thrilling finish. Will South Africa hold their nerve, or will Australia pull off a stunning comeback? Tune in on June 14, 2025, to find out!
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