South Africa need 69 more runs to win WTC final against Australia; Markram scores hundred

Hobbling captain Temba Bavuma and hundred-hitter Aiden Markram pushed South Africa to the brink of a sensational victory over Australia in a gripping World Test Championship final at Lord's

London: Hobbling captain Temba Bavuma and hundred-hitter Aiden Markram pushed South Africa to the brink of a sensational victory over Australia in a gripping World Test Championship final at Lord’s on Friday.

Bavuma, elevating the drama with a strained left hamstring, and opener Markram partnered for an unbroken 143 runs against one of Australia’s greatest bowling attacks to have South Africa 69 runs from an historic triumph.

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Chasing 282 to win, the Proteas were 213-2 at stumps on day three in a stirring bid to win a first ICC trophy in 27 years.

Bavuma was 65 not out, his running restricted but not his batting technique, and Markram was 102 not out, easily the highest individual score of the final.

Defending champion Australia bombarded them with four of its top-10 all-time test wicket-takers — more than 1,500 wickets in total — but they couldn’t part the Proteas pair, and hardly troubled them.

In South Africa’s huge favor, the day three pitch flattened, offered the bowlers little and was far easier paced for the batters than the first two days, when 14 wickets fell on each.

The odds were in Australia’s favor when South Africa’s chase began straight after lunch.

To win, South Africa was required to equal England’s most successful ever run chase at Lord’s from 2004. The only bigger run chase at the home of cricket was 344-1 in 1984 by the West Indies.

Meanwhile, Australia batter Steve Smith will take no further part in the World Test Championship final after suffering a compound dislocation of his right pinkie on Friday.

Smith was hurt at first slip trying to catch a thick edge by South Africa captain Temba Bavuma at Lord’s.

Many edges haven’t been carrying to the slips cordon in the match, so Smith was standing closer than usual to the wickets, 14 meters behind Bavuma, and wearing a helmet when Mitchell Starc delivered the 138 kph short ball.

Smith got his hands up but not fast enough to make the shoulder-high catch. He left the field immediately.

He was taken to hospital for more treatment, a team statement said.

It did not say how long he’ll be sidelined, but the injury puts in doubt him going to the Caribbean after the WTC final for the three-test series against the West Indies starting on June 25.