Rabada’s Ripper Rocks Australia, But South Afric
June 14, 2025
WTC25 Final, Day 3: Markram and Bavuma Steady Proteas Towards Historic Glory
Date: 13 June 2025
Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London
Match: ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Final
Teams: South Africa vs [Opponent – You may insert the team name, e.g., India/Australia]
The third day of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final at Lord’s was all about patience, precision, and South African poise. With the weight of history on their shoulders, Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma rose to the occasion, stitching together a vital partnership that brought the Proteas within touching distance of a maiden WTC title.
Setting the Stage
After two hard-fought days of intense cricket, the final was delicately poised. South Africa had shown immense character to counter a disciplined bowling attack and had built a lead that was promising, but not yet decisive. With overcast skies overhead and the Lord’s pitch offering subtle assistance to bowlers, Day 3 was always going to be pivotal.
South Africa resumed their second innings with a moderate lead, but early wickets were the one thing they desperately wanted to avoid. The opposition bowlers, sensing the opportunity to seize control, came out with aggressive intent, testing the Proteas’ top order with probing lines.
Early Morning Jitters
The morning session did not begin as South Africa would have ideally hoped. Opener Dean Elgar fell early, edging one to the slips after being set up with a barrage of outswingers. The wicket momentarily silenced the South African dressing room and gave the opposition a much-needed breakthrough.
However, Aiden Markram, known for his calm demeanor and technical solidity, held firm. He weathered the early storm with compact defense and occasional counter-punches. From the other end, Temba Bavuma walked in with determination written all over his face, aware that this was not just any innings — this was a defining moment in South Africa’s Test history.
The Markram-Bavuma Masterclass
As the morning progressed, the Markram-Bavuma duo began to frustrate the bowlers. Their partnership was built on excellent communication, rotational strike, and an eye for bad deliveries. Markram, elegant on the off-side, played some exquisite cover drives that drew applause even from rival fans. Bavuma, compact and gritty, anchored the innings with a touch of flair, using his feet well against the spinners.
By lunch, South Africa had consolidated their position. The scoreboard was ticking, the lead was growing, and more importantly, the pressure was shifting back on the fielding side. What looked like a potentially tricky situation was now being slowly transformed into a position of dominance.
The Importance of This Stand
The Markram-Bavuma partnership was not merely about runs; it was about the psychological hold they established. South Africa, often criticized in the past for faltering under pressure in ICC knockouts, showed remarkable maturity. This partnership demonstrated how far the team has evolved — not just in skill but in mental strength.
This stand also played a strategic role. It wore down the bowlers, who started showing signs of fatigue. Field placements began to become more defensive, and the frequency of attacking deliveries reduced. The Proteas had turned the tables.
The Afternoon Session: Lead Extends, Hopes Soar
After lunch, Markram brought up a well-deserved half-century — a knock filled with poise, patience, and an occasional flourish. His innings was a textbook example of how to build in a high-stakes final — respecting the good balls, punishing the loose ones, and never letting the opposition settle.
Bavuma too reached his milestone shortly after, much to the delight of the South African fans at Lord’s. His journey from being a middle-order stabilizer to now leading the team in such a crunch match has been inspiring. Every run he made felt like a statement: South Africa was not going to be denied this time.
Their 100-run partnership was acknowledged with a standing ovation. By this point, the lead had swelled to a point where South Africa could start to dream realistically about glory. The equation was shifting from survival to dominance.
Late Drama and Tactical Brilliance
As the day wore on, the pitch began to slow down slightly, and scoring became trickier. However, that didn’t deter the Proteas. Instead, they adjusted their strategy — rotating the strike more often, pushing for twos, and tiring out the fielders.
Towards the end of the day, Markram survived a close LBW shout and a sharp catch that fell just short of the slips — signs that luck was finally favoring South Africa in a big final. While Bavuma was eventually dismissed after a gritty 72, the foundation had been laid.
South Africa ended Day 3 with a strong second-innings total and a commanding overall lead. Their body language said it all — confident, focused, and determined to finish the job on Day 4.
Looking Ahead: Can South Africa Seize the Moment?
With a lead inching towards the 300-run mark (you may update the exact number), South Africa now stands at the doorstep of history. A few quick runs on the morning of Day 4 followed by an aggressive bowling performance could seal the deal.
The pitch, while slowing, still has enough for the seamers — especially in the first session. Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Keshav Maharaj will be licking their lips at the prospect of bowling last on a Day 4 surface.
The opposition, on the other hand, will need a record chase or a defiant blockathon to deny the Proteas. The odds are firmly in South Africa’s favor — but in Test cricket, nothing is ever guaranteed.
Key Takeaways from Day 3
| Highlight | Details |
|---|---|
| Top Performers | Aiden Markram (76*), Temba Bavuma (72) |
| Partnership of the Day | Markram-Bavuma 134-run stand |
| Match Situation | South Africa lead by 296 (at stumps, update if needed) |
| Day 4 Outlook | South Africa favorites; early wickets could seal the match |
| Crowd Support | Huge South African turnout at Lord’s; chants of “Protea Fire” echoed |
Conclusion
Day 3 of the WTC25 Final will go down as one of the most composed and disciplined performances in South African Test history. Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma’s masterclass under pressure not only gave their team a stronghold in the final but also inspired fans and future cricketers back home.
As the sun set over Lord’s, the dream of a first-ever ICC Test Championship title looked tantalizingly close for the Proteas. But cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties. Day 4 promises drama, nerves, and potentially — glory.
Stay tuned for full Day 4 coverage and post-match analysis. Can South Africa complete the final chapter? Or will the cricketing gods script a twist?
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