Can Markram's Unbeaten 102 Propel South Africa to Championship Glory?

London, June 13 (NationPress) Aiden Markram rose to the occasion with a spectacular 102 not out, bringing South Africa within 69 runs of a remarkable victory in the ICC World Test Championship. At the conclusion of the third day's play, South Africa stood at 213/2 in 56 overs during the final at Lord's on Friday.

With Australia's second innings concluding at 207, South Africa faced a target of 282. Despite Mitchell Starc claiming two early wickets, Markram demonstrated exceptional shot selection and, with ideal batting conditions, solidified his eighth Test century off 156 deliveries in the closing moments of the day.

He formed an unbroken 143-run partnership for the third wicket with skipper Temba Bavuma, who scored 65 not out from 121 balls, despite nursing a left hamstring injury and limping to accumulate his runs before the tea break.

With both Markram and Bavuma exhibiting composure, accuracy, and dominance in their scoring, they have positioned South Africa on the brink of a significant cricketing milestone as day four approaches.

The defending champions, Australia, require an extraordinary effort on day four to become the first team to retain their World Test Championship title. Earlier, Starc, who was dropped on 14 in the final over of day two, showcased resilience to push the lead past 280, sharing a 59-run last-wicket partnership with an equally steadfast Josh Hazlewood.

For South Africa, who conceded 22 extras, including 10 no-balls, Kagiso Rabada took 4-59 while Lungi Ngidi recorded 3-38. Resuming day three at 144/8, Rabada struck by trapping Nathan Lyon lbw, with tracking suggesting the ball was on course to hit the top of the leg stump.

Starc and Hazlewood faced little challenge from South Africa's pacers, lacking sideways movement. Their partnership included four quick boundaries, elevating Australia's lead past 250. Starc played aggressively while Hazlewood anchored the other end, establishing the highest tenth-wicket partnership for any team in a men's ICC championship final.

Starc achieved his 11th Test fifty in the 64th over by edging a ball outside off-stump from Marco Jansen, which also marked the moment Australia reached 200. South Africa's frustrating time in the field concluded when Hazlewood was caught at cover off a delivery from Markram, as the tenth-wicket stand yielded an impressive 59 runs from 22.2 overs before lunch.

Similar to the first innings, Starc struck early by swinging one away from Ryan Rickelton, who nicked it behind to Alex Carey. Markram displayed confidence in his strokes while Wiaan Mulder excelled at cuts, punches, and pulls.

Despite Lyon nearly bowling Mulder, the all-rounder capitalized on a full delivery to score a boundary, raising South Africa's hopes of chasing down the challenging total.

However, Starc delivered another breakthrough, forcing Mulder to hit straight to Marnus Labuschagne at cover, resulting in a fine low catch. Starc could have dismissed Bavuma in the 20th over when the South African skipper edged a ball to Steve Smith at slip, but Smith's inability to hold the catch left him in pain.

With Smith sent for an X-ray after suffering a compound dislocation in his right little finger, Markram reached his fifty off 69 balls in the final session, soon followed by the fifty of his partnership with Bavuma, who hobbled for available singles due to a lack of proactive fielding.

As boundaries flowed from Markram's bat and Bavuma contributed with some drives, South Africa's momentum continued, with Bavuma reaching his 29th Test fifty in 83 balls. Markram's precision remained evident as he punched Nathan Lyon, dabbed late off Beau Webster, and executed a stunning straight drive off Hazlewood.

With the South African crowd chanting his name, Markram secured his century by flicking Hazlewood through mid-wicket, drawing cheers from the crowd, which included his wife Nicole and legendary batter AB de Villiers, marking day three as a pivotal moment in the clash.

Brief scores:

Australia 212 and 207 in 65 overs (Mitchell Starc 58, Alex Carey 43; Kagiso Rabada 4-59, Lungi Ngidi 3-38) lead South Africa 138 and 213/2 in 56 overs (Aiden Markram 102 not out, Temba Bavuma 65 not out; Mitchell Starc 2-53) by 69 runs