Adieu 'chokers' tag? South Africa on the brink of historic trophy win! WTC final 2025

A majestic century from Aiden Markram (102*) and his 143-run stand with skipper Temba Bavuma (65*) put South Africa on course for glory in the WTC final against Australia at Lord's. Chasing a tricky total of 282, the pair made use of the best batting conditions in the match to defy Australia's potent attack. At the close of play on day two, South Africa were 213/2, needing just another 69 more to claim their first ICC title since 1998.

 

The morning session, however, didn't go to plan for South Africa as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood frustrated them with a half-century partnership for the last wicket. Having resumed the day at 144/8, Australia managed to add another 63 runs to the total through their lower order. Starc and Hazlewood both dug in, capitalising on the flattening nature of the pitch to eke out the runs. Finally, it took Markram's part-time spin to break the stand as Hazlewood chipped an easy catch to cover. By then, Australia had taken their lead to 281, a daunting target given the history of Lord's where the last successful 200-plus chase came in 2005. 

 

Australia and Starc carried that momentum forward into the next innings as the left-armer got Ryan Rickelton nicking a lazy drive through to Alex Carey. At 9/1 with a mountain still to climb, South Africa would have been feeling a sense of deja vu. Australia were buzzing and their potent pace attack sensed an opening to make further inroads. Instead, South Africa counterpunched and their intent was the signature of the batting effort through the day. 

 

In the first innings, Bavuma's men took 22 overs to get to 43 but in the second essay, they raced to 47 in the first ten overs itself. Wiaan Mulder (27 off 50) looked far more assured at no.3 this time around and gave Markram the ideal support during their 61-run stand. Conditions also favoured batters with the sun out and the track getting flatter. Australia, though, did strike back once again through Starc as a loose drive from Mulder found Marnus Labuschagne at cover. Once again, the feeling was that perhaps, South Africa could crumble due to the big stage fever.

 

All that was put to rest as Markram and Bavuma combined to forge a partnership for the ages. The former, often criticised for not converting his starts into big knocks consistently, batted like a man possessed. He peeled off those eye-pleasing strokes on both sides of the wicket but they were punctuated with periods of solid defence and watchful leaves. In short, it was the perfect tempo for a Test innings, especially while batting fourth. At the other end, Bavuma looked solid, just like he had in the first innings and the only trouble the South African captain really had was regarding his hamstring that gave him the occasional discomfort.

 

However, Bavuma battled through that and barely showed signs of struggling at the bat, displaying good composure against both pace and spin. As the day progressed, there was a bit of variable bounce on offer, and Nathan Lyon got the ball to turn appreciably as well. All this, though, was negated a wee bit due to the slowing nature of the surface. Markram and Bavuma took full toll of the conditions on offer and hardly offered a chance during their partnership, except one chance that the captain offered.

 

In what could be termed as a game-defining moment in hindsight, Steve Smith put down a very tough catch at second slip and also dislocated his finger during the attempt. What made the catch so difficult was the fact that he was quite a few yards closer to the batter than a regulation slip fielder, and although he had the helmet on, such catches against a bowler bowling 140-plus kph is of high risk. Starc created the chance with a lovely delivery that angled in, straightened and bounced extra to catch the edge as Bavuma tried to work it on the leg-side. It was a chance that had to be taken and once it went down, South Africa's skipper knuckled down to play a flawless knock. 

 

For the first time in the game, Pat Cummins felt the heat due to South Africa's intent and calmness under pressure. The Australian captain rung the bowling changes and tried funky field settings too, but to not avail. 

 

The last time South Africa won a major ICC trophy at any level was back in 2014 when the U19 side won the World Cup. The captain then was a certain Aiden Markram. 

 

History does tend to repeat and it looks like it will on June 14. If so, it could be a landmark day for South African cricket and also be a welcome change for world cricket in general. 

 

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