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- AUS vs SA Highlights, WTC Final 2025, Day 3: Ton-up Aiden Markram shines, South Africa 213/2 at stumps, need 69 more to clinch title
AUS vs SA Highlights, WTC Final 2025, Day 3: Ton-up Aiden Markram shines, South Africa 213/2 at stumps, need 69 more to clinch title
The day began with South Africa at 43/4, and although Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) stitched together a brief resistance worth 64 runs, it was Australia captain Pat Cummins who stole the show. Cummins produced a remarkable spell of four wickets for one run post-lunch, dismantling South Africa for 138. He finished with 6-28 and claimed his 300th Test wicket, etching his name on the Lord’s honours board.
But Australia’s second innings soon descended into chaos. Kagiso Rabada removed Khawaja and Green in the same over, while Lungi Ngidi bowled a fiery spell that accounted for Cummins and Webster, leaving Australia tottering at 73/7.
Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc then mounted a critical eighth-wicket stand of 61. Carey’s composed 43 was vital, but he fell to Rabada just before stumps. Starc remained unbeaten on 16 and was lucky to survive when Marco Jansen dropped a sitter in the day’s final over.
Australia’s lead may already be decisive, but South Africa will believe that quick wickets on Day 3 could still keep them alive. The pitch has offered bounce and seam, but not excessively so—raising questions about batting techniques from both sides.
Earlier, Cummins’ fiery burst tore through South Africa’s lower order, claiming the final five wickets for just 12 runs. His dismissal of Bavuma, Verreynne, Jansen, and Rabada in quick succession underlined his mastery in favourable conditions. South Africa’s innings crumbled from 126/5 to 138 all out.
Australia’s approach to building on their slender first-innings lead of 74 was aggressive but flawed. Beau Webster, their first-innings top scorer, fell lbw to Ngidi, while Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith also perished without converting starts.
Despite the carnage, Australia’s 218-run advantage heading into Day 3 could prove pivotal. Yet, with just two wickets in hand, the margin for error remains slim. One more day of gripping cricket awaits before the baton passes to South Africa’s batters for the final act.
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma, Another good length ball, this time on middle, Temba Bavuma defends it to mid on.
The skipper, despite his hamstring injury, puts in a valiant effort to get to fifty.
Markram on the other hand, is currently on 85* from 125 balls.
SA need 103 more to win the final.
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma, Length ball, outside off, Temba Bavuma shoulders his arms to that one.
- Aiden Markram 85 (125)
- Temba Bavuma 50 (83)
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Pitches on middle and then turns off to the leg stump line quite sharply. Aiden Markram rocks back and decides to offer no shot. Pads it and the ball lobs in front of the short leg fielder. South Africa need 103 more runs to win now!
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Full, on leg, clipped to the leg side.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Gloriously played! Quick hands! Short of a length from Lyon, spinning in from off, Aiden Markram gets deep inside the crease and cuts it cleanly through the point region, and beats the fielder's chase for a boundary.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, A touch quicker, fuller, turning in on off, Aiden Markram hangs back and defends it off the back foot.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Flighted delivery on off, Aiden Markram drives it to short cover.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, FIFTY FOR BAVUMA! One of the best knocks in his entire Test career, one would imagine. He is not 100 percent but has fought it out there for his side, ensuring that the Aussies don't get an inch. Not much of a celebration, just a calm raise of the bat towards the dressing room. He knows that the bigger celebration will be around the corner when the remaining runs are scored. Tossed up on off, Temba Bavuma gently pushes it into the off side and completes the single.
- Aiden Markram 81 (120)
- Temba Bavuma 49 (82)
Beau Webster to Aiden Markram, In front of the sticks, full in length. Aiden Markram responds with a firm block on the front foot.
Beau Webster to Aiden Markram, Fractional full, outside off, driven off the front foot by Markram, straight to the man at point.
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma, Back of a length at a gentle pace, just outside off. Temba Bavuma plays it on the rise and slashes this through point for one.
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma, Back of a length, on off, Temba Bavuma punches it off the crease to short cover.
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma, Length ball angling into the right hander, Temba Bavuma flicks it to short mid-wicket.
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma, Beau Webster bowls this from wide of the crease. The length is on the fuller side. The line is on off. Temba Bavuma defends it off the front foot back to the bowler.
- Aiden Markram 81 (118)
- Temba Bavuma 48 (78)
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Spins back in from off, on a length. Aiden Markram goes deep inside the crease to punch it back to the bowler.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Nice and full, around the off pole. A huge stride forward by Markram to defend it out.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Ah, some bite there! Length ball, sharply turning back in from outside off. Aiden Markram gets on the back foot and is surprised by the turn and bounce. It also comes quicker than Markram anticipated, and just manages to fend it to the off side.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Tossed up on middle, Aiden Markram hangs back and plays the push to short mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, Short and just outside off, Temba Bavuma defends it off the back foot to the left of short cover and takes a quick single.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, FOUR! All happening here at the Home of Cricket! Tossed up on off, Temba Bavuma decides to take on Lyon as he slog sweeps this delivery to the right of deep mid-wicket. Substitute Sam Konstas from deep mid-wicket comes running at the ball and goes for the catch but as he dives in front, the ball lands just short of him and goes through eventually, for four. 100-RUN STAND IS UP!
This is an experienced side but Australia will miss Steve Smith. Not because he is a great fielder but his experience in captaincy and even otherwise could have helped Pat Cummins a great deal. Not that Cummins is not experienced himself but in situations like these, where nothing is going your way, he would have liked some help.
- Aiden Markram 81 (114)
- Temba Bavuma 43 (76)
Beau Webster to Aiden Markram, Back of a length, stays low, outside off. Aiden Markram tries to dab it through short third, but due to the lack of bounce, he ends up chopping it off the inside edge, onto the front pad.
Beau Webster to Aiden Markram, On middle and on a good length. Markram works this to square leg.
Beau Webster to Aiden Markram, Length, sliding back in and around off. Markram watchfully blocks this out.
Beau Webster to Aiden Markram, Full on middle, Aiden Markram drives it to mid on.
Beau Webster to Aiden Markram, Oh! Again the uneven bounce! Length ball outside off, that rises sharply. Aiden Markram was looking to play the cut, but is surprised by the extra bounce as the ball hits the upper part of his bat and goes wide of the backward point fielder. The deep point fielder runs to his left and cuts it off. Two runs taken. Oh, Beau Webster has overstepped.
Beau Webster to Aiden Markram, Length ball on middle, Aiden Markram defends it off the back foot to catching mid on.
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma, Back of a length, outside off, Temba Bavuma cuts it square of the wicket, along the ground to deep point for a single.
The Aussies trying to slow the game down. They are not able to curtail the run flow, so they are trying to make the batters wait and play with their patience. Additionally, with the runs required just 118 as of now, and an hour of play left, they will be left with just around 70 runs or less for tomorrow. They are trying to push that as close to 100 as possible, on Day 4. Beau Webster has been given the ball now. He is bowling medium pace at the moment, but won't be long before he switches to off spin.
- Aiden Markram 79 (108)
- Temba Bavuma 42 (75)
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Drags the length, on off, Markram tucks it off the back foot to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, Length, spinning back in from outside off, Temba Bavuma turns this to square leg and rushes through for a quick single. The fielder there is quick to pick and release the throw in a motion, and even scores a direct hit at the bowler's end, where Bavuma hobbles a bit on the run, but somehow, manages to get home before the ball hits the stumps.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, BEATEN! Ooohs and aaaahhhs for spin! Full and flat, outside off, turning back sharply. Temba Bavuma leans on to play the defensive shot but gets beaten by the turn.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, Slower through the air, tossed up, outside off, and turns in sharply. Temba Bavuma lunges in defense and misses it as he wears it on the body.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Overpitched on off, Aiden Markram lunges to defend. The ball doesn't turn as it goes straight and takes the outside edge and goes rolling along the ground to short third. Single taken.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Tossed up, slower through the air, Aiden Markram rocks on the back foot and punches it along the ground to the left of deep extra cover for two runs.
DRINKS BREAK. The first half of the final session of this third day belongs to South Africa. They have just not allowed the Aussie bowlers to get any opening and to be very fair, the bowlers have not got much assistance from the surface, which has made batting more and more easier. Yes, the odd one has shown signs of uneven bounce, but not THAT threatening to deceive the batter. Although there have been some signs of turn and grip for Nathan Lyon from one end, through those rough patches. Australia will be hoping to break this stand as quickly as possible, as it won't be that easy for the new incoming batter to play comfortably against the gripping ball. For now, the Proteas hold all the aces as this stand has grown to 90 runs, with South Africa needing another 122 runs to win. Nathan Lyon to continue after the hydration break.
- Temba Bavuma 41 (72)
- Aiden Markram 76 (105)
Mitchell Starc to Temba Bavuma, Bavuma now drills this full ball to the mid off region.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram, EDGED, but goes through the vacant gully region. Markram tries to slash this length ball from outside off. But gets a thick outside edge and the ball rolls behind to widish deep backward point. A single taken.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram, Fuller and just outside off, Aiden Markram presses forward and defends it out to cover-point.
Mitchell Starc to Aiden Markram, FOUR! Superb placement from Aiden Markram! All hands! Length ball outside off, Aiden Markram plays the cut as he splits the gap between, deep backward point and deep third man fielders to perfection.
Mitchell Starc to Temba Bavuma, Length ball on middle, Temba Bavuma defends it towards short cover and sets off for a quick single.
Mitchell Starc to Temba Bavuma, Length ball on off, Temba Bavuma drives it straight to short cover.
- Aiden Markram 71 (102)
- Temba Bavuma 40 (69)
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Length on off, Markram hangs back and works it to mid-wicket.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, FOUR BYES! Well, when it rains, it pours! Lyon overcompensates and bowls this on the leg stump line. The ball lands and turns away from the batter as Makram looks to clip into the leg side. Since there's no leg slip in place, the ball trickles down to the deep fine leg fence.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Lands just around that dark rough patch, on a fullish length. The ball bites and takes a sharp turn into the batter. Markram patiently tucks this to the square leg region.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Tossed up just outside off, the ball lands in the rough as Aiden Markram goes for the wild slog and balls turns big time and misses the stumps as well as the bat and the keeper. Batters manage to sneak in two byes. The 150 is up for South Africa and they are inching closer to the target. Need another 132 runs to win.
Nathan Lyon to Aiden Markram, Full and on middle, Aiden Markram looks to defend it and the ball turns and hits the inner part of his bat.
Nathan Lyon to Temba Bavuma, Full and on middle, Temba Bavuma drives this down the ground to long on for a single.
Nathan Lyon (10-2-30-0) is back on. He replaces skipper Pat Cummins. A slip and a regular short leg in place for 'Garry'.
South Africa were bowled out for 138 in their first innings, undone by a devastating spell from Pat Cummins, who claimed 6-28 to reach 300 Test wickets and earn a place on the Lord’s honours board. Only Temba Bavuma (36) and David Bedingham (45) offered resistance.
Australia’s second innings mirrored the chaos, as Kagiso Rabada (3-44) and Lungi Ngidi (3-35) tore through the top and middle order to reduce them to 73/7. However, Alex Carey (43) and Mitchell Starc (16*) mounted a fightback, adding 61 valuable runs for the eighth wicket.
Carey fell late to Rabada, but Starc survived a drop in the final over to keep Australia’s hopes alive.
With South Africa needing early wickets on Day 3 and Australia looking to stretch their lead beyond 250, the match remains delicately poised—even as the finale inches closer than expected.
Match Statistics
Venue
Lord's Cricket Ground, London
