Stumps: South Africa require 69 more runs to win WTC final
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At 1-9, South Africa looked like they might capitulate in the WTC final in pursuit of 282.
Instead, the Proteas frustrated Australia’s highly experienced bowling attack to put themselves in an auspicious position to take a stunning victory at Lord’s. They are 2-213 at the close from 56 overs.
Aiden Markram (102 from 159 balls) was sensational, while captain Temba Bavumba (65 from 121 balls) battled hamstring soreness to guide his side to safety when he easily could have thrown in the towel.
If Steve Smith took that catch to remove Bavumba, who knows what the score would be.
There is still work to be done but a collapse of that magnitude would be almost inconceivable, even by South African standards.
Thanks for joining tonight. Make sure you check out our mastheads for all the latest news (notably Smith’s finger) and analysis from Daniel Brettig at Lord’s.
We’ll be back tomorrow. Cheers.
Aiden Markram of South Africa after reaching his century. Getty Images
2.58am on Jun 14, 2025
Markram brings up his century
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There it is!
Take a bow Aiden Markram.
South Africa’s opener has brought up triple figures from 156 balls with a sensational boundary into the leg side off his pads.
It’s his eighth Test century and third against Australia. First since the 152 he made in Johannesburg in 2018 against the Aussies … one Test after Sandpapergate.
The WTC final is there for South Africa. They couldn’t bottle it now, surely?
South Africa 2-210, require 72 runs to win
Aiden Markram of South Africa bats during day thre. Getty Images
2.28am on Jun 14, 2025
Can Travis Head break this partnership?
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Desperate times, desperate measures.
Travis Head gets one to bite back into Markram. Massive turn. That’ll get him excited and maybe plant a degree of doubt into the batsman’s mind.
Josh Hazlewood also comes back into the attack after taking 0-31 from nine overs.
Australia will take anything they can get at this stage. Game really getting away from them.
Outstanding application from Markram and Bavuma. Playing the innings of their lives given the context.
Bavuma brings up half century as South Africa get within 100 runs
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Imagine how Steve Smith is feeling after dropping Temba Bavuma.
Tough to watch this given Bavuma has now passed 50 and the Aussie vice-captain is facing a lengthy stint out of the game due to his finger injury.
It’s a great effort from Bavuma given his dodgy hamstring.
The Proteas keep on fighting.
With a deft late cut from Markram, South Africa need under 100 runs win a famous WTC final.
Nathan Lyon goes about his work. Getty Images
1.57am on Jun 14, 2025
Webster into the attack
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It’s taken 40 overs but Beau Webster is given the ball. He’ll send down some seamers to try and break this partnership which came together in the 18th over.
A couple of runs to Markram into the off side (and a no-ball) takes South Africa’s best player today into the 80s.
Four off the over. Not a bad start. Would like to see Webster attack the stumps.
South Africa 2-168, require 114 runs to win
1.48am on Jun 14, 2025
A look at successful run chases against Australia
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Of the top 12 successful run chases vs Australia in the fourth innings of a Test, six were before 2000.
Six after 2000. None between 1953 and 1994.
South Africa look on track to pull it off if they can keep their composure. Australia trying a few more things with their fields. Getting that balance of blokes back in the fence or closer to the bat is a tricky science. Pitch looks to be as good as it’s been across the three days.
South Africa 2-160, require 122 runs to win
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1.35am on Jun 14, 2025
South Africa halfway to victory
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141 down, 141 to go.
Markram is playing an outstanding innings to lead the South African run chase. He cracks Starc down the ground for a boundary to go into the 70s.
Skipper Temba Bavuma is also controlling the tempo of this game cleverly.
It seems like Australia can’t buy a wicket at the moment. Play will go for another 90 minutes or so, so plenty of time for South Africa to get that deficit under 100.
South Africa 2-147, require 135 runs
1.22am on Jun 14, 2025
Which way are you leaning?
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1.18am on Jun 14, 2025
South Africa making Australia work hard for their wickets
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Bavuma hits a lovely off-drive but only gets two runs due to his dodgy hamstring.
What’s been impressive is that South Africa have regrouped twice. Firstly after the opening wicket of Rickelton (1-6) and then once Mulder was dismissed (2-70).
64-run and 56-run partnerships when Australia desperately wanted to break the game open.
Nathan Lyon has sent down 10 wicketless overs. Not getting much purchase from the surface.
South Africa 2-130, require 152 more runs
Nathan Lyon at Lord’s. Getty Images
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1.10am on Jun 14, 2025
Smith has ‘compound dislocation’
By Daniel Brettig
Steve Smith’s West Indies tour has been thrown into doubt after he was taken to hospital for x-rays on a compound dislocation to his right little finger.
Smith’s digit was left bent at a sickening angle after he dropped a sharp chance offered by Temba Bavuma on the third afternoon of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, having moved up very close to the bat at slip.
A Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed that Smith was set to be taken for scans on the badly damaged finger. The first Test against the West Indies in Barbados is scheduled for June 25, a little less than two weeks from now.
“Steve Smith has suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger while fielding in the slip cordon during the ICC Men’s World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s,” a CA spokesperson said. “He was assessed by Australian team medical staff at the ground and taken to hospital for x-rays and further treatment.”
Smith had also planned to make a brief trip to the United States to play for the Washington Freedom in the Major League Cricket Twenty20 tournament between Test match assignments.