South Africa has come close to victory in the final of the third cycle (2023–25) of the World Test Championship (WTC). Australia got a target of 282 runs to win in this title match being played at Lord’s. Chasing the target, South Africa scored 213 runs at the loss of two wickets till the third day (June 13) stump. That is, South Africa is just 69 runs away from the title win. Aden Markram is unbeaten on 102 and captain Temba Bavuma 65 runs.

Injured at the crease like a mountain

Aiden Markram has faced 159 balls so far and 11 fours have come out of his bat. On the other hand, Temba Bavuma has hit five fours in the 121 -ball innings. So far, 143 runs have been partnered off 232 balls for the third wicket between Bavuma and Markram. Markram has definitely scored a century during the run, but the passion that Bavuma showed despite the hamstring injury is Kabilatarif. In front of this adventure innings of Bavuma, the century innings of Aiden Markram also looks faded.

Temba Bavuma came to bat at number four in the second innings of South Africa and at the beginning of innings he did not take that touch. When Bavuma was on 2 runs, Steve Smith dripped his catch in the wide slip. After a few overs, the situation for Bavuma became worse, when his hamstring was pulled while taking the run. This incident took place in the 24th over of South Africa’s innings. Due to stretch in hamstrings, the strings were seen moaning and lame. However, despite the pain, Bavuma stayed like a mountain and did not give any chance to the Kangaroo bowlers.

Temba Bavuma completed his half -century off 82 balls, but did not decide to celebrate. Neither did he lift the bat, nor tied a fist. It seems that Bavuma wants to ensure the victory of the team first and then the celebration will go on. Anyway, the South African team has been shattered on the important occasion many times and the team’s wait to win the ICC title has been very long. However, it seems that this 27 years of waiting may end today. Fans are fiercely praising this combative innings of Bavuma.

When did South Africa last won ICC title?

Let us know that South Africa has not won the ICC title since winning the Nockout Trophy (now Champions Trophy) in 1998. When South Africa won the ICC title for the last time, the team’s cricketers Marco Jansen and Triston Stabs were not even born. The South African team reached the semi -finals or finals in the last few years, but the trophy remained away from it.

In the final, the Australian team lost the toss and scored 212 runs in their first innings while batting first. In response, 6 wickets of Pat Cummins killed South Africa’s first innings for 138 runs. On the basis of the first innings, the Kangaroo team got a lead of 74 runs. Then Australia scored 207 runs in their second innings and set a target of 282 runs in front of South Africa.

South Africa’s playing in WTC finals 11: Temba Bavuma (Captain), Aden Markram, Ryan Ryan Ricelton, Vian Mulder, Triston Stabs, David Bedingham, Kyle Verene (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Keshan, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Angidi.

Australia’s playing in WTC finals 11: Usman Khwaja, Marnas Labushen, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Bu Webster, Alex Carrie (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (Capnins), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lion, Josh Hazlewood.