WTC Final: Markram's Unbeaten 102 Puts South Africa In Sight Of Championship Glory

Aiden Markram stepped up when it mattered the most by hitting a magnificent 102 not out, taking South Africa within 69 runs of a historic triumph in the ICC World Test Championship after ending the third day's play at 213/2 in 56 overs in the final being played at the Lord's here on Friday.

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After Australia's second innings ended at 207, and that put South Africa on a chase of 282, Mitchell Starc struck by taking two early wickets. But Markram was pristine in his shot selection and with conditions being the best for batting, the right-handed batter was rock solid in slamming his eighth Test century off 156 deliveries in the fag end of the day.

He also stitched an unbroken 143-run stand for the third wicket with skipper Temba Bavuma, who hit 65 not out off 121 balls, despite tweaking his left hamstring and hobbling to complete his runs before the tea break. With Markram and Bavuma showing poise, precision, and authority in amassing runs while complementing each other, the duo have ensured that South Africa are on the cusp of a very special cricketing achievement on day four.

Australia, the defending champions, will need something extraordinary on day four if they are to become the first side to retain their World Test Championship title. In the morning, Starc, who was dropped on 14 in the final over of day two's play, was at his resolute best to take the lead past 280, while sharing a 59-run last-wicket partnership with an equally solid Josh Hazlewood.