Ali Martin’s report has landed, and so has the weekend. Thanks for your company and emails; Geoff will be here in the morning for the last act of a memorable WTC final. Goodnight! We took away the fear of failure going into this innings. [The coach Shukri Conrad] had a long chat with us the other day and said basically, ‘We have to go for it. Whatever they set, we’re gonna get.’ If you look at us today compared with the first innings there was less fear of failure and an intent to score every ball. [On the Markram/Bavuma partnership] Ah, it’s super-special. Both those guys have been through a lot of adversity over the last couple of years. You could see how drained they were as they walked off. It’s really special to see two guys who put South African cricket first do something special for us. [On the pitch] Yeah I think it did [change]. It was quite slow today, the movement was slower than on days one and two and there wasn’t as much nip. Even when we were bowling this morning everything was happening really slowly. I’m glad we capitalised. South Africa will return in the morning needing 69 to win the World Test Championship. It’s within touching distance; it’ll feel miles away if they lose an early wicket. South Africa’s history – micro and macro – means nobody will take anything for granted. But right here, right now, this feels like their time, at last. “Markram isn’t the only palindromic surname, but it’s the longest,” says Adrian Armstrong. “Others are (Rangy) Nanan and (Arun) Lal.” 56th over: South Africa 213-2 (target 282; Markram 102, Bavuma 65) The last over of the day, bowled by Lyon, passes without incident and that’s the end of a compelling day’s play at Lord’s. Australia’s players all congratulate Markram before he walks off with the limping Temba Bavuma. Then Bavuma hangs back to allow Markram to be first into the Long Room. He looks absolutely spent, mentally as much as physically. In the context – that’s the only C-word we’ve needed today – of South Africa’s yearning for a big ICC prize, the cold efficiency of Markram’s innings has been extraordinary. There have been some high-class strokes, particularly the daps behind square on the off side, but the greatness of this innings lies in the mundane – especially his management of risk and ability to score at a good rate even when going without a boundary for long periods. 55th over: South Africa 210-2 (target 282; Markram 102, Bavuma 62) There it is! Markram flicks Hazlewood through midwicket for four, prompting a huge roar from the South Africa fans. He celebrates modestly, almost sheepishly, as his captain Temba Bavuma stands a few yards away, applauding with pride and gratitude and admiration and love and much else besides. 54th over: South Africa 206-2 (target 282; Markram 98, Bavuma 62) Lyon continues with the replacement ball. It’s at the other end, in the hands of Hazlewood, that everyone will be looking for signs of life. Bavuma cuffs Lyon inside out through the covers for two. That’s also how many Markram will need for a century when he takes strike at the start of the next over. If the rest of the match goes to plan for South Africa, they and we will talk about this partnership forever. Ten minutes to the close. South Africa still need 78 so they won’t be claiming the extra half-hour 53rd over: South Africa 204-2 (target 282; Markram 98, Bavuma 60) Three singles from Hazlewood’s over, all hooked or pulled. There’s a break in play while Australia try to get the ball changed. It looks like they’re in luck; the old ball won’t go through the whatchamacallit. “Is Markram the only palindrome to have played Test cricket?” writes Mark Rice-Oxley. “If so, does that increase the likelihood of him being out for 99, or 101?” I don’t suppose Viv counts, does it? 52nd over: South Africa 201-2 (target 282; Markram 97, Bavuma 58) Lyon back on for Head. A huge offbreak turns down the leg side, beating Carey and rolling for two byes. Those runs bring up South Africa’s 200. Lyon is getting some vicious spin now. At the risk of sounding like Richard Keys circa 1994-95, bellowing down the camera that Coventry 0-0 QPR is “beautifully poised”, I’m still not sure this game is done. 51st over: South Africa 198-2 (target 282; Markram 97, Bavuma 57) A brutish lifter from Hazlewood to Markram hits high on the bat and drops safely on the off side. That would unnerve many players but not Markram, not today; he ends the over with a pristine straight drive for four. He’s three away from a quietly epic hundred. Actually, replays show that Hazlewood almost fingertipped that drive onto the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Had he done so, Bavuma would have been run out because he was slow to turn due to his hamstring injury. 50th over: South Africa 194-2 (target 282; Markram 93, Bavuma 57) Markram does well to deflect a big off-break from Head off middle stump; he’d have been in trouble had he missed that. Instead he takes a single, which allows Bavuma to hammer a sweep through square leg for four. His performance almost brings a lump to the throat. 49th over: South Africa 189-2 (target 282; Markram 92, Bavuma 53) Hazlewood replaces Webster. Australia have been working constantly on the ball – behave yourself – but there’s no sign of any reverse swing. One from the over. “This match!” says Eva Maaten. “This is taking me right back to my years in Johannesburg, rooting for South Africa against Australia. Same players, more or less, than before Covid when I lived there. Those were the days… watching on Sky from Germany these days, it’s not quite the same.” But at least you’ve got the Guardian OB- oh. A gem of a stat from Tim de Lisle Aiden Markram has just faced his 137th delivery, which makes his the longest innings of the match. Mitchell Starc was top of the pops with his 136-ball 58 earlier in the day. 48th over: South Africa 188-2 (target 282; Markram 91, Bavuma 53) Pat Cummins rolls the dice by bringing on Travis Head in place of Lyon. Head is a proven matchwinner, though it’s usually with the bat. His loosener (sic) spits nastily at Markram, who aborts his plannd attacking stroke. Later in the over Bavuma sweeps fine and forces himself to get back for a second. That’s probably the most aggressive run he has taken since tea. Just over half an hour to play tonight. Australia surely need a wicket in that time. 47th over: South Africa 185-2 (target 282; Markram 90, Bavuma 51) Markram flicks Webster for a single to move into the nineties. It’s been a clinical performance, at times almost bloodless, and that’s a compliment given the South African backstory that we may have mentioned once or twice. There’s an individual backstory too. Markram has made only one Test century outside South Africa, a minor classic at Rawalpindi in 2021. That aside, his record overseas has been pretty wretched; he average 22.58 from 16 Tests going into this game. 46th over: South Africa 184-2 (target 282; Markram 89, Bavuma 51) Bavuma continues to push forward as far has his hamstring will allow to smother any spin from Lyon. Then, after Lyon moves round the wicket, Bavuma gets an inside-edge and the ball lodges behind the flap of the pad. No debate this time, it’s a clear dead ball. 45th over: South Africa 184-2 (target 282; Markram 89, Bavuma 51) Oh that’s gorgeous from Markram, a deliberate steer for four off Webster. He opened the face and glided the ball expertly past the man at short third. South Africa’s target is down to double figures: 98. Ninety-eight. Ninety-eight. Ninety-arghhhhhhh. And I’m a neutral. “How on earth have we gone from 14 wickets a day for two days to only 4 wickets today,” wonders Michael Meagher. “Don’t wickets deteriorate as the days pass?” Not always. 44th over: South Africa 179-2 (target 282; Markram 85, Bavuma 50) Temba Bavuma, a giant in a world of men who proudly state their height on dating profiles, pushes Lyon for a single to reach an inspirational half-century from 83 balls. A reminder, in case WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN, that he has a hamstring strain and can only hobble between the wickets. His partner Markram, who has accommodated that injury and helped find the perfect tempo, forces Lyon expertly through the covers for four. South Africa are 103 runs away from victory/glory/immorality. 43rd over: South Africa 174-2 (target 282; Markram 81, Bavuma 49) Webster continues and is driven for a single by Bavuma. That’s it. Meanwhile, if you’re into the whole precedent thing, this could yet be a reversal of that classic Test at Gqeberha in 1997. The scorecard is full of gems, not least Allan Donald’s first-innings figures: 23-13-18-1. “I once got a prize at school when I was young for ‘courage in the face of adversity’,” writes Colum Fordham. “I think if any sports player deserved an award of the sort, it would be Temba Bavuma, leading from the front despite being in clear pain. “As clearly emerged from the excellent Guardian interview, he has had to overcome all manner of obstacles to become first a Test player and then captain of his country. I hope the gods of cricket help in his bid to play the captain’s innings of the ages. What a superb Test match we are being treated to. Markram is playing quite sublimely. Can the Proteas pull off a cricketing miracle?” Would it be a miracle? I mean, this is rich coming from me given that a couple of hours ago I basically congratulated Australia on victory, but I wouldn’t call it a miracle if South Africa win. Still think there’s a twist, though. 42nd over: South Africa 173-2 (target 282; Markram 81, Bavuma 48) The finest of margins. Bavuma top-edges a slog-sweep off Lyon towards deep midwicket. The substitute Sam Konstas runs in and dives forward, only for the ball to bounce this far short and scuttle under him for four runs. That brings up a terrific hundred partnership, incredibly level-headed in the circumstances, and South Africa need a few more because it will not be easy starting against Lyon from this end. Later in the over Markram does well to get on top of a spiteful delivery and force it to safety on the off side. 41st over: South Africa 168-2 (target 282; Markram 81, Bavuma 42) Beau Webster replaces Mitchell Starc, who bowled a short, expensive spell of 2-0-16-0. As you’d expect he’s bowling fullish and very straight, hoping his height will exaggerate any low bounce. A bit of extra bounce surprises Markram, who carves the ball in the air for a couple. Doesn’t matter as it was a no-ball. 40th over: South Africa 164-2 (target 282; Markram 79, Bavuma 42) Lyon switching ends could be a big moment in this game, almost like a ball change for the seamers at, say, The Oval in 2023. The ball is doing much more now, and Lyon’s close field – slip, leg slip, short leg – reflects that. Bavuma is beaten on the outside but keeps his back foot at home. “Regardless of the result,” writes my colleague Taha Hashim, “it’s beyond frustrating that this South African side won’t play a home Test until the backend of next year.” 39th over: South Africa 160-2 (target 282; Markram 76, Bavuma 41) On commentary, Stuart Broad makes the point that Australia are giving South Africa too many comfortable singles. At the start that was fine – it was a game of patience – but there is no sign of Markram or Bavuma being bored out. Markram opens the face to glide Starc for four, a fabulous shot both in its conception and execution. This is where cricket’s fusion of team and individual sport is at its most compelling. Chances are that, because of the context, Aiden Markram’s innings will either be carved in stone or made of chip paper. There is almost nothing inbetween. Time for a breather, aka drinks. 38th over: South Africa 154-2 (target 282; Markram 71, Bavuma 40) Lyon switches ends and immediately gets more joy from the pitch. Markram is almost bowled when misses a yahoo at a beauty that turns through the gate and past the stumps. Later in the over another big-spinning delivery slips away for four leg-byes. That’s 17 runs from the last two overs, which means South Africa need 128 to win. This is deliciously tense. Edibly tense. EFFING TENSE, OKAY? Tell you one thing, if South Africa need 80 or so to win overnight, they won’t be on the rum till 5am. 37th over: South Africa 147-2 (target 282; Markram 71, Bavuma 39) Mitchell Starc comes back on to replace Lyon (10-2-30-0). A change of pace and probably a change of tempo, because a Starc spell usually involves boundaries, wickets or both. As if to prove the point, Markram slices Starc’s first ball well wide of the cordon for four. Those runs take South Africa into Bon Jovi territory: 141 runs down, 141 to go. It looks like Markram fancies Starc. After hitting the field with a couple of attacking strokes he waves an imperious boundary to the left of mid-on. For six or seven years, Markram’s Test form has been one of cricket’s unsolved mysteries. Maybe it was all just a prologue to this innings. It’s hard to comprehend, never mind convey, what it would mean for any South African batter to make a century in a World Test Championship-winning runchase. 36th over: South Africa 137-2 (target 282; Markram 62, Bavuma 38) Bavuma times Cummins delightfully down the ground for four. Some innings, this. A reminder, for those who haven’t been focussing on this run-chase to the exclusion of everything else, that he has a hamstring injury and can only hobble between the wickets. Starc has bowled only seven of the 36 overs so far, a surprise given he too both wickets and had Bavuma dropped. 35th over: South Africa 130-2 (target 282; Markram 62, Bavuma 33) Markram continues his low-key gem of an innings with a beautiful extra-cover drive off Lyon. He wanted three but Bavuma wasn’t up to it. South Africa are 36 for 0 from 11 overs since tea. Australia’s need for a wicket is becoming pretty urgent. 34th over: South Africa 126-2 (target 282; Markram 59, Bavuma 33) Bavuma push-drives Cummins stylishly through mid-off for two; it would have been three but for his hamstring injury. South Africa’s batters have managed risk expertly since tea. 33rd over: South Africa 124-2 (target 282; Markram 59, Bavuma 31) Markram skids back to force Lyon through the covers for a couple. Then he skips down the track, apparently with a big shot in mind, but mistimes a single to long-on. Markram hit three fours in the first five overs of the innings. Since then he’s managed just one, a big edge off Cummins. But his strike-rate is a very healthy 69 so there’s no need to force it, especially with South Africa on top in this session. The Australian team have confirmed that Steve Smith suffered a compound dislocation on the little finger of his right hand when he dropped Bavuma in the 20th over. He’s been taken to hospital for X-rays and further treatment. 32nd over: South Africa 120-2 (target 282; Markram 56, Bavuma 30) A single from Markram brings up the fifty partnership in 81 balls, which shows how well South Africa have rotated strike despite Bavuma’s injury. 31st over: South Africa 119-2 (target 282; Markram 55, Bavuma 30) Lyon replaces Cummins and goes around the wicket, who gets a thick edge that drops short of Webster at slip and bounces away for four. That’s only the second boundary in the last 16 overs, which shows that Australia have a degree of scoreboard control. But they need a wicket and even a bowling attack of this experience must be starting to feel itchy. “Hello Rob, writes Tom Paternoster-Howe. “iven that he had to restart his innings after the interval, why didn’t Bavuma retire hurt during tea? There’s a couple of half-decent batters after him, and between them and Markram they should be able to be trusted to see out 39 overs for the loss of no more than one wicket (or a second late enough to have a night watchman). Then his hamstring will have time to have some intensive physio so that it will be less sore and restrictive by tomorrow morning.” “I know a captain would never want to be seen to be retreating from the front line, but surely that’s best for the team. Back in the day Bradman hid himself away from sticky dogs so that the team could benefit from his batting when conditions were playable, and his Aussie teams were reasonably successful!” I wondered about this. I guess he’s intent on leading by example; he may also know that his hamstring won’t improve overnight so he might as well wince and bear it. Either way, he’s doing an admirable job. 30th over: South Africa 113-2 (target 282; Markram 55, Bavuma 24) Bavuma winces back for a second run off Hazlewood. He’s not batting freely - far from it - but he’s batting calmly and with fierce determination. Hazlewood goes up for LBW when Markram misses a flick across the line. Missing leg; Hazlewood didn’t even bother discussing a review 29th over: South Africa 110-2 (target 282; Markram 55, Bavuma 21) Same again from Cummins: gunbarrel straight on a good length. And same again for South Africa, three comfortable singles. They’ve added 16 in five overs since tea, almost by stealth. Just another 172 to go. “Loved the fifty years of counterfactual WTC finals that you linked to earlier,” says Brian Withington. “But imagine my extreme disappointment at the absence of any concluding recreation of at least one final, whether in the garden, Subbuteo cricket field or Monte Carlo simulation! I may need to spend some quiet time with an old copy of Wisden …” Fear not, Larry Nerd over here is on the case. The 1975 final between Australia and West Indies is beautifully poised, and I’ll get back to it as soon as real-life cricket stops getting in the way. 28th over: South Africa 107-2 (target 282; Markram 54, Bavuma 19) Bavuma has plenty of time to turn Hazlewood through square leg for a single. This is a game of patience for Australia’s bowlers. Hazlewood is so close to the big wicket with a nipbacker that keeps a bit low and is inside-edged this far wide of the stumps by Markram. I still think 175 runs is a lot on this pitch. Mind you I thought the same when Australia were 107 for 3 chasing 281 on a not dissimilar surface at Edgbaston two years ago. If this goes the distance, Pat Cummins may decide not to take the new ball. 27th over: South Africa 102-2 (target 282; Markram 51, Bavuma 17) Cummins is making the batters play at almost every ball. That’s the obvious tactic on an uneven pitch, but not many bowlers have such control of line as Cummins. Bavuma recoils slightly after a defensive stroke, surprised by how much the ball bounced, and then under-edges a pull for a single. Good, aggressive bowling from Cummins. 26th over: South Africa 101-2 (target 282; Markram 51, Bavuma 16) There are still 39 overs remaining today, though it’s unlikely they’ll get them all in. Realistically, South Africa can’t win this game tonight. Australia can but it would take a collapse for the books. Markram drives Hazlewood, on for Lyon, through mid-on for a single. He has settled nicely into a spell of low-risk accumulation, almost like a Test equivalent of the ODI middle overs, and has scored 24 from 38 balls since he last hit a four. Bavuma, who would rather deal in boundaries, gets his first with a well-timed flick just in front of square. 25th over: South Africa 95-2 (target 282; Markram 50, Bavuma 11) Pat Cummins brings himself back on after tea. Weird to think that Aidan Markram hasn’t played a Test match against Australia since his stellar series in 2017-18; he drags a single into the leg side to reach an excellent, tone-setting fifty from 69 balls. Not sure Bavuma enjoyed that single though; his hamstring isn’t in a good way. Bavuma pings a cover drive off Cummins that is well stopped by Labuschagne; that probably saved four. The players are back, the limping Bavuma included. “I’d just like say that Temba Bavuma is one of my favourite cricketers,” writes Romeo. “He’s the size of Precious McKenzie, has the speed in the outfield of Usain Bolt, the grit of a pearl and the [redacted genitalia-themed simile]. And the nous of Alan Turing.” “This is surely a neutral’s heaven, Rob?” writes Guy Hornsby. “I know not many are truly neutral in this game but even as an Englishman that would love the Proteas to finally get over the line, this has been another brilliant Test match. “As exhilarating as the first six sessions were, a result by lunch today would’ve left us feeling a little wanting. The bowling has been excellent, the batting far less, but conditions have brought Australia’s tail and South Africa’s batters back into it. And, whisper it, this feels very much 52/48, as all good surveys should be. I’d dearly love Bavuma’s team to get this done. Fire up the CRUCIAL NEXT SESSION klaxon. This is right on the edge.” Klaxons make the world go round. I still think it’s around 70:30 in Australia’s favour but it wouldn’t be entirely without precedent were I to be talking utter bobbins. Teatime reading Tell you what, folks, you don’t get this kind of content everywhere. And thank heavens for that. The real quiz What are you doing on Monday night? No, forget that, come to The Nightwatchman Quiz and Fairfield Books Launch Event! It’s at the Jolly Gardeners pub in SE11, wherever that is, and entry is £10 per person. (It’s for a good cause, actually two good causes, so put that in your internal monologue.) I’ll be there along with at least one of the OBO team. But please don’t let that be your only reason for coming. Fairfield Books are launching In Syd’s Voice, by David ‘Syd’ Lawrence and Dean Wilson, and Cricket Captains of England 1979-2025 by our old friend Vic Marks, and the quiz is always loads of fun. Here’s a bit more from the official blurb. The Nightwatchman quiz – part general knowledge, part devilishly tricky cricket questions – is set and hosted by quizmaster extraordinaire Marcus Berkmann. Usual rules apply - if you’d like to enter a team of four (that’s the max for those who haven’t been before), you can either buy four tickets in one go or book individually and confirm your team name and members via email. Alternatively, if you don’t have a full team, just let us know and we will squeeze you in alongside some like-minded individuals. Extras: Entry is £10 per person, which includes a copy of the Nightwatchman issue 50. You can buy tickets or find out more by clicking here. 24th over: South Africa 94-2 (target 282; Markram 49, Bavuma 11) Bavuma square drives Starc and hobbles through for a single. Markram carves another behind point, then Bavuma turns a third through midwicket. All three were kind of one-and-a-half, giving Bavuma plenty of time to get down the other end. Markram clips the last ball of the session to mid-on for a slightly tighter single, at least in the context of Bavuma’s hamstring injury. He makes it comfortably enough and heads off for tea with the World Test Championship deliciously poised. South Africa need 188 runs, Australia eight wickets. 23rd over: South Africa 90-2 (target 282; Markram 47, Bavuma 9) It looked like Hazlewood was going to replace Lyon but Cummins has apparently changed his mind. Maybe the plan is to have Bavuma stretching forward, trying to get to the pitch. For now it’s Markram on strike, and he has to bend his back to keep out a grubber from round the wicket. A maiden. Time for one more over from Starc before tea. Bavuma has had his hamstring strapped and is going to continue. Forget the windows; he’ll have to mind the quick singles now. While we wait, let’s look at a photo of some people working really, really hard. Temba Bavuma has called the physio on and is receiving treatment to either his calf or his hamstring. This doesn’t look great. 22nd over: South Africa 90-2 (target 282; Markram 47, Bavuma 9) Bavuma’s slightly frisky start has allowed Markram to potter along almost unnoticed. His only boundary in the last 17 overs was that edge off Cummins but he’s still scoring an excellent rate: 47 from 58 balls. He feels like the key wicket. “And to think that yesterday I was toying with the insane idea of three-innings Test matches if they were low-scoring enough ...” says Nick Lezard. Imagine if India and Australia had to bat a third time on that Mumbai crumbler in 2004. They’d have done well to make 50! 21st over: South Africa 85-2 (target 282; Markram 43, Bavuma 8) Bavuma thick-edges Lyon well wide of slip for three runs. That brings the target below 200, a milestone that is greeted with applause by the South Africa fans. No Bon Jovi song to fit this milestone though. Lyon has bowled well enough without really threatening. Given the uneven bounce, in particular, I’d be tempted to give Big Beau a short spell before tea. “Moments like these make one pause and appreciate the true power of sport,” writes Krishnamoorthy V. “Here is a chance for the South Africans to dispense the chokers tag. No more jibes or sneers or comments. May the artistry of a Nadia Comaneci, the ice-cold nerves of a Bjorn Borg, the supreme athleticism of a Roger Federer, the swagger of a Viv Richards and the caress of a Gundappa Viswanath descend on the Proteas.” 20th over: South Africa 80-2 (target 282; Markram 41, Bavuma 5) Chance! Smith has dropped Bavuma and dislocated a finger in the process. Bavuma was squared up by a snorter from Starc, bowling round the wicket, and edged it towards first slip. It flew chin-height towards Smith, who was standing close in with the helmet on because of all the edges that had dropped short previously, and he couldn’t hold on. Smith immediately started to run off the field, then stopped as if he was about to be sick. Eventually he walked off with the physios, one hand over his mouth just in case. He looks in serious pain. That was a really tough chance for Smith, who was only 14 metres away from the bat. But Australia will be encouraged by the increasingly erratic bounce; my instinct, not always to be trusted, is that Australia are pretty strong favourites. 19th over: South Africa 75-2 (target 282; Markram 39, Bavuma 2) Mind the windows, Temba. He has a lusty slap at a seductive offbreak from Lyon that takes a thick inside edge and deflects past leg stump. Bavuma is determined not to get bogged down like in the first innings, but you still have to play yourself in. “Test cricket, meh,” says Simon McMahon. “Check this out.” I say! 18th over: South Africa 72-2 (target 282; Markram 36, Bavuma 2) The commentators – Smith, Hayden, the other Smith – are firm in the belief that scoring is becoming a lot trickier as the ball gets older, hence that slightly tenative shot from Mulder. Nothing tentative about Temba Bavuma’s first scoring stroke, a frisky drive over cover on the up. He didn’t nail it and it only yielded two runs, but it was a fairly dramatic statement of intent. “So, who’s the big winner now? (14.28),’” says Brian Rafferty. “Presumably another typo and you meant sinner?” It was indeed, although I didn’t mean to type sinner. Unusual to see a typo with two wrong letters. Australia’s bowlers have more than 1500 Test wickets between them, so they won’t panic. They’ve seen it all before and know one wicket could bring two or three. There you go. Starc returns to the attack and goes round the wicket to Mulder, who checks a drive towards cover. The ball dies on Labuschagne but he stoops to take an excellent low catch. Buckle up, buttercup; the last 35 minutes before tea are going to be intense. 17th over: South Africa 69-1 (target 282; Markram 35, Mulder 27) Markram drives Lyon through the covers for two more. It’s crazy that a player of his ability averages 36 from almost 50 Tests, even more so because of the flying start to his career that included two hundreds against this Australian attack in 2017-18. But all of that, it doesn’t matter, it’s just for nerds like me and you. Markram is at the crease in a World Test Championship, he’s in and he has the opportunity to play a career-definer. Yes, yes, I wrote ‘immorality beckons’ instead of ‘immortality’ at 2.16pm. But it produced some funny emails, so who’s the big winner now? Tom Wells “Presumably an insight into the planned post-victory celebrations?” Dilip Shukla “I see immorality wearing some kind of ostentatious, slightly dishevelled dress and a big hat. Standing in the doorway of a speakeasy. Beckoning. But that’s my problem.” Jeremy Boyce “What were you thinking ? Leather magnets in the sweet spot of their bat?” Andrew Haldenby “‘Immorality’!!!!” 16th over: South Africa 66-1 (target 282; Markram 32, Mulder 27) Markram feels for a ball from Cummins that keeps low and somehow beats everything. Then he pushes a single into the leg side to keep strike. Sixty-six, 216 to go. 15th over: South Africa 63-1 (target 282; Markram 29, Mulder 27) Looovely shot from Mulder, a pristine cover drive for four off Lyon. That prompts Lyon to move around the wicket, an angle from which he can be so dangerous, and there are no further runs. At this stage of the first innings South Africa were 23 for 2. “Let’s be clear that medium-to-low scoring Tests are the best of all, where every single run matters,” writes Mike Jakeman. “The tension is, however, far too much for me. Can I recommend that any other readers of a sensitive disposition may instead like to fall down a wormhole and listen to the latest episode of my business-of-cricket podcast, Inside Edge, where we discuss the 30-year history of Cricinfo and cricket’s relationship with digital culture?” No you jolly well can’t! What do you think this is, some kind of free advertise- actually, that sounds fascinating and will be the perfect accompaniment to my evening walk along Whitstable beach. Thanks for sharing! 14th over: South Africa 58-1 (target 282; Markram 28, Mulder 23) Oof! Markram, pushing nervously, edges Cummins between Carey and Khawaja at first slip for four. I’m fairly sure it didn’t carry; not much has in this game. This Lord’s pitch isn’t one of the groundsman’s portfolio but it has produced a fascinating game. Thanks Geoff, afternoon everyone. This is deliciously poised, and a nerdy neutral it’s hard to ignore the parallels with Edgbaston 2008. On that occasion South Africa needed 281 to exorcise demons that had haunted them for a decade and more; today they need 282. South Africa beat England that day, largely because Graeme Smith played one of the greatest innings of all time. Immorality beckons for anyone who can repeat it. 13th over: South Africa 51-1 (Markram 21, Mulder 23) A couple more singles, and they reach the drinks break by raising the team 50. Applause for that. So, South Africa have basically knocked off what Australia’s tenth-wicket partnership put on. They need 231 more to win. Describing their path towards that will be Rob Smyth. Cheerio. 12th over: South Africa 49-1 (Markram 20, Mulder 22) Some daring running now to go with some daring shots, as Markram dashes at the non-striker’s end to beat the throw from mid off. Dives in. Dusts off. Ready. A leg bye to follow, Cummins hitting pads as he does. 11th over: South Africa 47-1 (Markram 19, Mulder 22) Lyon is on, and nearly bowls Mulder. I can’t entirely describe that shot. The ball pitches outside off and turns in. Mulder seems like he’s shaping to play a late cut, then moves the bat upwards at the ball, like he’s changed that to an uppercut. Except the ball spins sharply in towards the stumps. Did that hit the underside of his gloves? Anyway, it goes to ground, and he isn’t bowled, but it was not a shot suggesting clarity of thought. 10th over: South Africa 47-1 (Markram 19, Mulder 22) Big SA support in today, and they’re cheering every run. A Markram glance, a Mulder flick. The singles mingle. Here is the fabulously named Tom Paternoster-Howe. Bless me, father, for I have sinned. “SA are going at about 5.5 an over this innings. They only need to bat for 51 overs at that rate to knock off the chase. Since they managed 57.1 overs in the first innings, that could make things exciting. Of course, this being SA, they will keep it up for about 45 overs for the loss of only 4 wickets before completely choking and losing by 2 runs.” That is indeed the fear. The closer it gets, the closer it gets. They need 235 to win. 9th over: South Africa 45-1 (Markram 18, Mulder 21) Aaaand shponk! Mulder nails his pull shot, the short ball from Cummins sitting up for a whack. “Thank you for linking to Tanya Aldred’s heartwarming article about refugee cricket in France,” writes Brian Withington. “Chris Drew (aka mesnilman) is already a legend in the Guardian reading county cricket community for everything he does in France, including lots of umpiring in all parts, quite apart from his longstanding love for Glamorgan (and especially their Australian overseas players). ProjectFrontFoot is an excellent initiative that combines passion for cricket, compassion for others and responsible recycling. Financial donations via the link in the article go a long way in helping with the logistics of getting donated cricket kit shipped around the continent to very grateful recipients.” 8th over: South Africa 41-1 (Markram 18, Mulder 17) Hazlewood carrying on, tries to arrow through a yorker but it’s blocked. Working over Markram outside the off stump, a bit of seam each way, but fifth ball of the over Markram drives him square for two, again the line close to the body but able to get it away. All the metrics are saying that the batting has been easier today. Less seam, little swing. South Africa have to take advantage of it. 7th over: South Africa 39-1 (Markram 16, Mulder 17) Cummins replacing Starc early in the innings, as they like to do, so that Starc can swing around to replace Hazlewood in a couple more. Two slips, gully, point, and Cummins nearly feeds those slips, seam movement away past the edge, a ball after Mulder flicked two behind square and ran with intensity to make it back. Last of the over, stands up tall, rides the bounce, and punches four! Perfectly controlled that time, down into the ground and beats point, a boundary from a good ball. The target is down to 243. 6th over: South Africa 32-1 (Markram 15, Mulder 11) Into double figures for Mulder, with some risk. Smacks the cut shot but in the air, and it’s either good luck or great placement that he puts it between point and gully. 5th over: South Africa 28-1 (Markram 15, Mulder 7) Smack goes Markram! More of a bat throw, the square slash. Dicey shot against Starc but he gets enough to send it away for four rather than into gully’s hands. If anyone is going to run this chase, it should be Markram. He did this on debut, made a brilliant century in Durban in the fourth innings to nearly steal a very unlikely win from Australia. Fell short in the end, but the task suited him. We’re in for a treat if he can do something similar here. Later in the over, another four, bad ball this time, easily flicked away backward of square. 4th over: South Africa 19-1 (Markram 7, Mulder 6) That’s a good shot from Markram. Rides the bounce from Hazlewood and times it just in front of point for four. Lovely stuff. 3rd over: South Africa 14-1 (Markram 3, Mulder 5) Is Mulder the man at three? It’s a big ask. He made six in the first innings. Gets off the mark with an edged boundary here, the bat skewing in his bands as he prods uncertainly at Starc. Follows up with a single. 268 to win. Oh, dear. Not good for the contest. One boundary and out for Rickelton. Wide and swinging away from the left-hander, who chases it. Almost a yorker length, so it looks like he’s squeezed it into the ground and through to Carey, so the umpire says no. The Australians review, and the replay shows the ball bouncing before the it hits the bat, then sailing cleanly through. That’s a nick, and that’s a wicket. 2nd over: South Africa 9-0 (Markram 3, Rickelton 6) Dicey from Rickelton, edging short of the cordon but it gets him a run. Markram knocks two runs to cover from Hazlewood. 1st over: South Africa 6-0 (Markram 2, Rickelton 5) Better start for Markram against Starc than last time, getting off the mark(ram) quickly with a drop and dash. Nothing so restrained for Rickelton, who whips gloriously through midwicket for four! The sun is shining bright. This could be fun. We’re back… That was painful for South Africa. Rabada nabbed the first early, his fourth for the innings and his ninth for the match, and you expected him to wrap up five-for, ten-for, and the innings in quick time. Instead, Starc played a blinder and Hazlewood did a great job in support, adding 59 from 135 balls to stretch the target to a challenging one. It’s still very gettable, in improving batting conditions, but South Africa have to overcome themselves as well as overcoming the Australians. At least they get 40 minutes to do some deep breathing and get ready for the task to come. 65th over: Australia 207-10 (Starc 58) The Markram experiment continues. Starc glances another boundary, takes another single. And finally, the torment ends. Hazlewood hits the last ball of the over to cover. South Africa need 282. 64th over: Australia 202-9 (Starc 53, Hazlewood 17) Streaky! Jansen finally finds an edge, but instead of flying to slip it flies over. For four. That is Starc’s fifty, the partnership fifty, and the team 200 in one blow. This is a decisive innings from Starc, one of the best of his career. His 11th Test half-century. Krishnamoorthy writes in. “First we predicted that Sunday one is free to do whatever one wants. Later we said the weekend is free. This morning it appeared as if the tea can be enjoyed at home. Now there is a sliver of a possibility that SA may actually go for it and score the winning runs on Sunday. Test cricket is pure art.” And here I am, trying to adequately describe a busy canvas. 63rd over: Australia 196-9 (Starc 48, Hazlewood 16) Here’s some fun. It’s Aiden Markram with some part-time off spin. He got Steve Smith out! He can’t be that bad. And Starc loves to slog spin. Deep midwicket, long on is three quarters back. Starc plays sensibly though. Fourth ball of the over, that makes 20 overs for this partnership. They’ve made 48 runs! None in this over, but the stand continues. 62nd over: Australia 196-9 (Starc 48, Hazlewood 16) I said it would be over today, but cricket makes fools of us all. The rate South Africa batted first up here, they could easily go into tomorrow trying to make 266. They might yet need to make 300. Starc plays at most balls from Jansen, declines a single first ball, finds the field a couple of times, then takes the run from the fourth. Just having a cruise today with the bat. Better than bowling. Hazlewood is having fun too, leans back and uppercuts over the slips for four! Rude, Josh. Rude. 61st over: Australia 191-9 (Starc 47, Hazlewood 12) Ngidi is getting the odd ball to do a little, when he cuts his fingers down the seam, I fancy. Two slips waiting, four in the deep, though Starc still has barely played a big shot. That pull, and a couple of drives. Just drops a single here, “Evening, Geoff. Evening, viewers,” chirrups Patrick O’Brien. “Starc is less likely to edge a catch than the Oz top six. He either misses his drives completely or smokes them to the boundary. Cheers for your ace coverage.” That’s the trick in cricket: if you’re gonna miss it, miss it well. 60th over: Australia 190-9 (Starc 46, Hazlewood 12) There’s the 113th ball for Starc, defended, and the 114th he drives Maharaj away for a run. Hazlewood sweeps two. This looks easy now. The lead is 264. 59th over: Australia 187-9 (Starc 45, Hazlewood 10) Starc back on strike to Ngidi faces his 111th ball, matching David Bedingham, then his 112th, matching Steve Smith in the first innings. He celebrates with a pull shot for one. Hazlewood survives the last two balls, meaning Starc will face at least his 113th, meaning he has played the longest innings of the match. 58th over: Australia 186-9 (Starc 44, Hazlewood 10) Maharaj to Hazlewood, and the No11 is tempted. Tries a slog sweep, doesn’t connect, then repents and goes back to discipline. No run. 57th over: Australia 186-9 (Starc 44, Hazlewood 10) This is so patient from Starc. Gets a decent over from Ngidi and just soaks the whole thing up. He’s batted close to an hour and a half this morning, after a good stint last night. 56th over: Australia 186-9 (Starc 44, Hazlewood 10) Top score for Starc in his own right, driving the left-arm spinner square for one. Hazlewood tries the same but finds the fielder, then goes back to defence. But gets one through cover a couple of balls later, for two. The frustration for SA goes on. 55th over: Australia 183-9 (Starc 42, Hazlewood 8) Another one short of slip! Ngidi the bowler, and Starc is happy to take an early single. He’s now matched Carey as the top scorer of the innings. Hazlewood pokes and the edge drops short of Markram. More frustration. The lead is 257. 54th over: Australia 182-9 (Starc 42, Hazlewood 8) Maharaj with a rare over of spin to resume after drinks, and it costs a couple of byes and a driven single by Starc from the last ball, still managing the strike supremely. That is drinks. Australia make it to drinks. Protea fingernails are leaving marks in Protea palms. 53rd over: Australia 179-9 (Starc 41, Hazlewood 8) Seven overs on the spin for Rabada, and he’s got one of the two wickets they needed, but not the other. Starc takes the strike-rotating run off the fourth ball, and he’s now faced more than Webster in the first innings. 52nd over: Australia 178-9 (Starc 40, Hazlewood 8) They get through another over, and keep the singles ticking. Jansen can’t break through. This is infuriating for South Africa. 51st over: Australia 175-9 (Starc 37, Hazlewood 8) Rabada’s sixth over of the morning, and Starc steers it square of gully for four. He’s faced 84 balls. Crucial. And he’s been disciplined. Leaves alone width from Rabada where he can. 50th over: Australia 170-9 (Starc 32, Hazlewood 8) That’s more like it: short leg for Jansen bowling to Starc, and what do you know, it almost gets them a catch. Jansen is coming left-arm around to the left-handers and bowling into the ribs, and the fend goes just wide of that man. Then up at the helmet, and Starc ducks. No slips, one gully, bouncer field, and the bluff yorker squeezes between Starc’s feet and away to fine leg for four! Jansen and Bavuma have a tetchy conversation, Jansen looks annoyed about fine leg being too square, perhaps? Starc gets off strike, Hazlewood blocks a yorker. “G’day Geoff, does the pitch look more batter friendly today than the last two days? Will the pitch make a difference given Australia’s bowling line up?” G’day Bill Fuller. It certainly should be more batter friendly. It’s day three, normally the best time to bat, and it’s had some sunshine on it at times. So South Africa should be able to chase a target of this kind of size. But their batting is often brittle, and won’t be confident after the first innings. So Australia have a great chance to turn the screws. And that’s assuming the lead doesn’t grow much, which it may yet do, the way these two are going. 49th over: Australia 165-9 (Starc 27, Hazlewood 8) It’s starting to get that desperate feel for South Africa. How long can Rabada bowl for, hoping? Goes past the edge of Starc’s bat again, there’s that quality. But we’re back to a deep third instead of a gully, plus the deep point and two out on the hook. Mid on and mid off are set halfway back to teh rope. Only the two slips in an attacking spot. You know he could still hit a catch to cover, or slice one in the air, or pop one to a short leg? Defeatist strategy, this, it always makes a team look out of ideas. Starc is free to wind up for a hefty drive past the bowler and take the run. Hazlewood has two balls to survive. Gully comes up, mid off and mid on get closer, and that’s the only change. Rabada, right arm around, in at the pads, blocked. Outside off stump, blocked. Drip, drip, drip, goes the water on the hollowed stone. 48th over: Australia 164-9 (Starc 26, Hazlewood 8) Big Marco comes on for Mulder, perhaps belatedly, all eight foot of him, but it doesn’t start well, Hazlewood thrashing away a drive past the cordon for four. The lead is 236 now. Just checked, Starc with 70 balls has faced more than any Australian in the match bar Smith and Webster in the first innings. Hazlewood slices another couple of runs behind point. Death by a thousand late cuts. 47th over: Australia 158-9 (Starc 26, Hazlewood 2) Starc has gone past Labuschagne’s 22 to have the second-best score of the innings, behind Carey’s 43. He might get that too, the way he’s going. Hasn’t looked troubled. Aims a big drive at Rabada for nought, then goes back to leaving. Slightly better field now: two slips, gully, cover, mid off, mid on. Three fielders back: deep square, long leg, deep point. Giving Rabada the chance to use the bouncer, but he doesn’t. Maiden over, but the wicket doesn’t come. 46th over: Australia 158-9 (Starc 26, Hazlewood 2) A swing and a miss from Hazlewood facing Mulder. He has two shots, generally: the cover drive and the late cut. Though once in a blue moon we’ve seen him lump a few leg side in white-ball cricket. Three slips for Hazlewood. Starc calls him for a sharp single after a block to point, and a direct hit might have caught Starc short of his ground, but only one stump to aim at on the spin. Fifth ball, Starc gets strike for the Rabada over by baseballing a run past the bowler. Simon Reader is on the keyboard. “My comment to your colleague Daniel on Wednesday is even more relevant today: if I were coach Conrad, last night I would have been drilling the Proteas with clips of the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup. Now, more than ever, they need the patience and strategy. Hope springs.” 45th over: Australia 156-9 (Starc 25, Hazlewood 1) Four for Starc! Off the edge, along the ground past gully. So South Africa take the gully out. I don’t like this at all from Rabada. He has two slips, himself at mid off, and six players deep. Starc has barely played a shot in anger and he’s facing the best bowler in the South African team. Surely you should go hard at him and back Rabada to get him out? “Hello Geoff,” writes Matthew Doherty. “Do you think Australia will cobble enough runs today for a 250 run target for South Africa to chase?” Starc has done that kind of job many times before, but even what they have right now will be a testing chase. Rabada finishes the over by beating Starc’s edge. 44th over: Australia 152-9 (Starc 21, Hazlewood 1) What do I know? Starc calmly steers a single. Perhaps telling Hazlewood that he should be able to cope with Wiaan Mulder’s pace. That was a no-ball, too. He does a bit off the surface though, Mulder, right arm around the wicket to the two lefties. Gets it to deck in. Hazlewood blocks two. We’ve got a convetnional first slip, then a close second slip wearing a helmet, and a fine gully. None of them are in the play, though, as Hazlewood prods into a gap at midwicket and lopes off for a run. The Lopez Brothers, this batting pair. Starc drives one to cover. All these runs hurt South Africa. The lead is 226. Hazlewood turns down a run last ball though. Interesting. So they want Starc to handle Rabada. 43rd over: Australia 148-9 (Starc 19, Hazlewood 0) The over started with Starc swinging hard at a drive, down the ground for two. Then another for one, then the Lyon wicket. Hazlewood blocks out a couple, swishes at another. Survives the over. Time for Starc to have a dip, one thinks. He has the third highest score in the innings. Oh, yes! Nine for Rabada. Up the hill, seams in at Lyon a touch and nails him on the knee roll, front leg right in front. It’s not bouncing over on this wicket. A quick decision from the umpire, and the Australian review is in vain. 42nd over: Australia 145-8 (Starc 16, Lyon 2) Mulder from the other end, who had the catch dropped in the final over last night. He’s got the Pavilion at his back. Bright sunshine. Lyon confidently forward to defend. Lots of South African shirts on the walk into the ground today, they want this bad. The ICC Knockout of 1998 is a long time ago. 41st over: Australia 145-8 (Starc 16, Lyon 2) Rabada to start the day – he has three wickets, so the five-for and the ten-wicket match are still on if he can bag the last two. Doesn’t happen this over though, Lyon comfortably working a single square from the first ball of the day, and the left-handed Starc happy to leave the stuff angled across him. Let’s get into some cricket… And lastly, Andy Bull, on Temba Bavuma as leader of the South Africans. This is mine, with the Australian perspective on Pat Cummins’ remarkable day, and what influence a certain member of the nouveau landed gentry might have had. Here’s Simon Burnton with the press conference reporting, where David ‘Bedding In’ Bedingham is upbeat about knocking off the Aussies. Let’s start our day as ever with the match report from the tirelessly match-reporting Ali Martin. Hello for the final time from Lord’s for this World Test Championship final. Yes, it’s only Day 3, but surely, surely, this Test finishes today. The sun is shining bright and the forecast is the best for the week. Australia have only Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood to bat, in a match where wickets have fallen readily. They lead by 218 right now. So unless there is an extraordinary partnership, South Africa will either chase the runs today or be bowled out trying. On the evidence of their first innings, “bowled out trying” is the likelier option. They were all out for 138 and looked nowhere against Australia’s pace quality. But they have the chance to do better, to say that they are here and ready to compete. It’s only the third day, after all! Good for batting. But first, they need those last two wickets. They dropped Starc in the cordon last night, just before stumps. Can’t be doing that. For Australia, sneaking another 10, 20, 30 runs for the final two wickets could make all the difference. Get set.
Author: Geoff Lemon at Lord's (earlier) and Rob Smyth (later)