Markram and Bavuma guide South Africa to brink of spectacular

Heartache and South African cricket have not so much gone together for many years as been locked in a loveless marital relationship. However supplied they eke out the last 69 runs of what would be an epic run chase on day four, divorce papers can be released and the World Test Champion mace will be theirs.At completion of a gripping third day Australia were left praying that South Africa’s habit of imploding at international occasions– yes, yes, the old chokers tag– might return in the morning. Assisted by a gleaming unbeaten 102 from Aiden Markram, and the captain, Temba Bavuma, hobbling through a hamstring injury to finish on 65 not out, the Proteas had reached 213 for two at stumps in pursuit of 282 to win.Advertisement Related: Cordon problem leaves Australia in trouble and Steve Smith in world of pain|Andy Bull Even on a surface area that had actually nodded off after a couple of wicket-filled days, the target looked a high one, not least versus an attack packed with trophy hunters. Mitchell Starc had once again highlighted the big-game mentality that runs through the protecting champions, providing 58 valuable runs during an early morning of defiance with the No 11, Josh Hazlewood, and struck twice with the ball.And yet throughout 38 overs, the sun beating down on Lord’s and the South African fans growing increasingly singing with every run, Markram and his captain got their heads down for an unbroken third-wicket stand worth 143 that had Pat Cummins struggling for responses. Nathan Lyon, a bowler who normally enters into his own in these situations, could not discover much purchase.Not that it was simple. Emerging at 70 for two, Bavuma had been frenetic in the beginning, the tension potentially likewise to blame for pinging his hamstring early on. After all, he had previously discussed this being the most significant match of his career and, aged 35, this might well be his swan song at global silverware.Advertisement And there was a clear possibility that came when Bavuma had only 2 to his name. It went back to the increasingly slow pitch and the requirement for slips to sneak ever forward, Steve Smith even wearing a helmet as he did so. The risk here, nevertheless, is constantly an edge that climbs up. And when Starc duly delivered this, Smith could not stick on. To make matters worse, it caused a stomach-churning compound dislocation to Smith’s best little finger and a journey to hospital.Thereafter it was a case of studious batting, the odd ball squeezing past the stumps, and one diving effort on the rope from Travis Head as a sweep from Bavuma averted his paws. However not even the late use of the floodlights or 22 balls in the 90s might break Markram’s

focus, the right-hander clipping Hazlewood for an 11th 4 minutes before stumps to reach his 8th Test century. As the South Africa captain who gallingly lost in 2015’s Twenty20 World Cup final last year from a winning position, Markram will two times as savour it.Rewinding to the start of play, there was an expectation that, after 28 wickets on the very first 2 days, South Africa’s target would reveal itself early. Instead, resuming on 144 for 8 and with a lead of 218 runs, Australia handled to press through to the cusp of lunch with typical gumption, sending their opponents somewhat potty in the process and trowelling 63 more on to their last tally.Although for all the insanity of enjoying Starc and Hazlewood dig in after Kagiso Rabada’s early elimination of Nathan Lyon– a ninth wicket of the match for this wonderful quick bowler– the session highlighted just how much a munching surface had actually gone peaceful. As the previous night had actually started to show, the bring was much reduced and the chief danger was the odd delivery keeping low.Advertisement Starc was hugely remarkable as a senior male, this his very first Test half-century for 6 years, while Hazlewood continued what has been a recent pattern of holding firm at No 11. If Bavuma missed out on a technique here it was not presenting Markram’s more than serviceable off-breaks quicker, provided there were two left-handers at the crease. Lastly, before lunch, Markram got his opportunity and Hazlewood cracked to cover.Another expectation was

that South Africa would require an assailant such as Ryan Rickelton to get things off to a leaflet to have a sniff. The left-hander did not last long, however, a loose drive at a complete swinger in Starc’s second over captured behind and confirmed not to be a bump ball with an umpire evaluation. With a makeshift No 3 in Wiaan Mulder strolling out at nine for one, it felt like a hammer blow.And yet what followed from Mulder and Markram eased the South African nerves in the stands. Underlining the significantly benign conditions with some crisp back-foot strokes, the set placed on 61 in just over an hour. Mulder ultimately fell in Starc’s second spell, the left-armer’s quickest shipment sticking in the surface area to plop a catch to cover, however the innings had been provided a jolt.With Markram and Bavuma then driving their side to within touching range of the mace, the question was whether this might be resumed in the early morning or there would still be a twist or more to come. Even in the ascendancy at stumps, South Africa and their long-suffering supporters were staring at a restless night.