WTC 25 Final, SA vs AUS, Day 3: Markram-Bavuma stand takes SA within shouting distance of the target

WTC Final 2025, South Africa vs Australia, Day 3: Aiden Markram-Temba Bavuma partnership (143*) puts South Africa on brink of historic win.

Brief Scores: South Africa 213/2 (Markram 102*, Bavuma 65*, Starc 2/53) & 138 (Bedingham 45, Bavuma 36, Cummins 6/28) need 69 runs to win vs Australia 212 (Beau Webster 72, Smith 66, Rabada 5/51) & 207 (Starc 58*, Carey 43, Rabada 4/59) at stumps on Day 3. 

When Australia crossed the 200-run mark lead, and the ball ran away to the third-man region, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma was on his haunches. However, on the third morning, they had to pick them up for the chase. The initial target for the Proteas was to pick up the last two wickets quickly and avoid panic in the fourth innings.

For Australia, it was about aiming for the 250+ run target. But even if they failed to do so, their bowlers needed to bowl in the good length area consistently. The surface would do the rest. The wobble seam movement has already created enough pressure on the batters in the first two days. 

The Proteas and their fans were happy with the sunshine on the third day. The surface looked dry under the heat after 28 wickets had fallen in the first two days. There were spots for the pacers to hit, troubling even the set batter. 

Let’s take a look at how the three sessions panned out on Day 2 of the WTC 2023-25 final:

Mitchell Starc’s 58* frustrates SA; Australia set target of 282 runs 
As their history suggests across formats in various situations, Australia always find a way to bail themselves out of trouble. Under the sun and on a surface with less seam and swing, they frustrated the Proteas. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood’s 59-run stand for the tenth wicket stretched the lead to 281 runs. 

Kagiso Rabada dismissed Nathan Lyon within the first 30 minutes. However, since then, it turned out to be a tiring job for them. The veteran informed in an interview that the old ball wasn’t giving much help off the deck. Ultimately, Starc’s 11th red-ball fifty set a target of 282 runs for the Bavuma-led side. 

From 73/7, the defending champions added 134 runs for the last three wickets. It was a dominating performance by the tail end of Pat Cummins’ army.

Read More: WTC 25 Final, AUS vs SA, Day 2: Cummins’ 6-28 dismantles SA;Australia 218 ahead at stumps

South Africa show urgency to reach 94/2 at tea; still need 188 runs to win 
The single on the very first ball from Aiden Markram displayed South Africa’s urgency in the chase. They looked positive, unlike the first innings. After Ryan Rickelton’s dismissal, both Markram and Wiaan Mulder put pressure on Australia. 

With consistent singles and doubles, they spread the field. The slowness of the surface allowed the batters to tackle Nathan Lyon comfortably on the backfoot. The 61-run second wicket stand kept the balance of the chase intact. However, it didn’t last long as Mulder’s check drive ended in the hands of the cover fielder. 

The Proteas went to tea with 94/2, still needing 188 runs to the wicket. 

Bavuma & Markram’s unbeaten 143-run stand take SA closer to victory
Bavuma went to the break with a hamstring injury. However, he quickly turned his focus to the chase in the final session. The captain was more interested in the singles and doubles than Markram, who played the late cut beautifully through the third-man region. 

In the absence of Steve Smith in the field due to injury, pressure increased on Cummins. Once the target went below 100, there was a loud cheer in the stands from the Protea fans. Australia suddenly looked mentally fatigued. 

Bavuma hobbled for a single to celebrate his 25th Test fifty. Markram, meanwhile, notched up his eighth red-ball century, to nearly take the opponents out of the contest. They finished the day on 213/2, needing 69 runs more for victory. 

Read More: ICC WTC 25 Final, AUS vs SA: Rabada fifer stunts Australia to 212, but SA slide to 43-4 at stumps

What to expect on Day 4
Going into the fourth and the probable last day of the final, South Africa are ahead. But they need to show the same urgency and aggression from the start. It’s never a smart move to offer Australia even an inch to make a comeback in the game. For South Africa, they have a chance to write history. 

Statistical highlights from SA vs AUS, WTC 2023-25 final, Day 3:  

• Starc’s 57* is the highest individual Test score from a number 9 Australia batter at Lord’s. 
• Starc and Hazlewood’s 59-run tenth wicket stand is the third-highest against SA in Tests since Jan 2020. 
• Starc and Hazlewood celebrated Australia’s third-highest tenth-wicket stand (59) at Lord’s in Tests. 
• Rabada becomes the third joint-leading wicket-taker in Tests for South Africa against Australia with 58 wickets. 
• Rabada’s match figure of 9/110 is the third-best for a Protea bowler at Lord’s in Tests. 
• Starc & Hazlewood combined to add 59 runs for the tenth wicket for Australia. This was the seventh 50+ partnership for this wicket for Australia against SA.
• Ryan Rickelton has struggled against the left-arm pacers with an average of under 25 and three dismissals in five Test innings. 
• Markram & Bavuma brought up just the fourth century stand for the third wicket for SA at Lord’s. 
  
  Top Twitter/X Reactions from Australia vs South Africa, Day 3 WTC Final 2025

If it happens, as seems likely, this is going to be such a great result, not just for South Africa, but for world cricket. A year ago, I asked friends in SA if Bavuma could be the Kolisi of cricket. Maybe?

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 13, 2025

A Test century for the ages by Aiden amarkram in a run chase by South Africa that will be long remembered

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) June 13, 2025

What a special innings by Aidan Markram .. At the most important time against a World class attack he has produced one of the finest tons in a final .. This is a huge moment for a S.A Cricket .. 2025 is certainly the year of the under dog .. maybe that will continue for the Ashes

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 13, 2025

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100!!!!!!!!!

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) June 13, 2025

Read More: ICC WTC 2023-25 Final: South Africa or Australia: Who is better placed to win the trophy?