Markram leads Proteas push against AUS | Day 3, Session 2 Highlights | WTC25 Final
Against the fall of two wickets, Aiden Markram helps South Africa march on towards a daunting total at Lord's.
By Jonathan Healy, at Lord's
Opener Aiden Markram remains the key as South Africa made a decent start in their pursuit of 282 for victory in the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at Lord's.
Markram has looked in excellent touch and moved along nicely to 49 not out at tea on the third day, with the Proteas sitting on 94/2 at the break and still requiring a further 188 for victory.
A flurry of fours get South Africa off to a strong start | WTC25 Final
Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder help South Africa with early boundaries against the new ball.
Skipper Temba Bavuma is also at the crease on 11, though the South Africa skipper is hobbling when running between wickets courtesy of a hamstring injury and has received treatment on the field from medical staff already.
The Proteas have lost two wickets in pursuit of the big total, with Australia pacer Mitchell Starc removing Ryan Rickelton (6) and Wiaan Mulder (27) at separate stages of the chase.
Starc claims Mulder to produce another breakthrough | WTC25 Final
Mitchell Starc rises to the occasion once again for Australia to break the second-wicket partnership as he removed Wiaan Mulder.
Rickelton was tempted into a wide one in the third over, while Mulder was caught in cover by Marnus Labuschagne after he made an enterprising start to his innings.
Markram has looked assured during his entire time at the crease and looms as the key for South Africa as they seek a first World Test Championship title.
Australia have searched hard for wickets, with Steve Smith putting down Bavuma early in his innings and hurting his finger in the process and having to leave the field for treatment.
Steve Smith forced off the field injured | WTC25 Final
Australia talisman Steve Smith sustained a nasty blow on Day 3 at Lord's and walked off the field in discomfort.
Earlier, Starc contributed an uneaten 58 on the third morning and combined with Josh Hazlewood (17) for a valuable partnership of 59 for the 10th wicket as the Aussies were bowled out for 207 on the stroke of lunch.
The Proteas will have gained confidence by the fact Starc and Hazlewood looked comfortable at the crease during their stand, with Kagiso Rabada and South Africa's strong pace attack failing to get much life out of a Lord's pitch that now appears good for batting.
Rabada removed Nathan Lyon for two early on the third day, but Starc an Hazlewood batted smartly to push Australia's lead close to 300 with the sun out on a hot day in north London.
South Africa will need to score the highest total of the match if they are to claim the World Test Championship mace, while Australia will be confident their experienced bowlers can skittle the Proteas for a second time.
Starc produces gritty half-century | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final
Mitchell Starc put on a resilient display against an in-form Proteas pace-bowling unit to help the defending champions to a 281-run lead.
The match ends what has been a gripping World Test Championship cycle, where the Proteas won seven straight Test matches to seal their spot in the decider, while Australia are looking to become the first team to claim back-to-back championships, with the concept commencing in 2019.
South Africa XI: 1. Aiden Markram, 2. Ryan Rickelton, 3. Wiaan Mulder, 4. Temba Bavuma (c), 5. Tristan Stubbs, 6. David Bedingham, 7. Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8. Marco Jansen, 9. Keshav Maharaj, 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Lungi Ngidi
Australia XI: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood
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