Aiden Markram century, Temba Bavuma bravery: Moments that shaped day three

Aiden Markram catapulted the Proteas to the cusp of victory, while there was bravery from his captain Temba Bavuma — and pain for Steve Smith. WHAT YOU MISSED OVERNIGHT.

The South African star fired his warning shot early.

An unbeaten fourth innings ton from Aiden Markram has catapulted the Proteas to the cusp of World Test Championship final triumph.

After unluckily dragging on for a duck in his first innings, Markram announced his intent and reinforced his class in one stroke off Aussie star Mitchell Starc.

The clattering drive was not only a sign of his danger status in the Proteas’ run chase but the shift in batting conditions under beaming sun at Lord’s.

Runs were there to be had – and Markram wasn’t going to miss out again.

Aiden Markram announced his intent early for South Africa.

He gave just one realistic chance by edging a ball off Pat Cummins between Alex Carey and Usman Khawaja behind the wicket.

But it, perhaps along with Australia’s hopes of defending the WTC final title, trickled away to the boundary.

Markram struck 11 fours on his way to his eighth Test century and put on an unbroken 143 with wounded captain Temba Bavuma (65).

Aiden Markram wasn’t going to miss out on any runs in South Africa’s second innings. Picture: Getty Images

After leading South Africa in last year’s Twenty20 World Cup final defeat, Markram was visibly determined to hold his grip on the historic opportunity in front of him.

South African batting coach Ashwell Prince praised Markram’s appetite to perform in big games.

“We certainly know he’s someone for the big occasion, of that there is no doubt,” Prince said after play.

“When I talk about his ability to play big innings … we know what he’s capable of.”

WOUNDED BAVUMA

South African captain Temba Bavuma refused to give Australia a path back into the game.

Bavuma was receiving hamstring treatment just balls into his important innings.

He hobbled between the wickets and went into tea clouded in doubt as to whether he would continue.

But the determined skipper scurried out to play a pivotal role in the Proteas’ poised pursuit of the WTC final.

Temba Bavuma refused to give in despite a hamstring injury.

“At tea time we had to make a big call to whether he continues to bat and how it will affect his stroke play, how it might affect Aiden’s rhythm,” Prince said.

“And the both of them were adamant that Temba’s got to continue, he wanted to continue, Aiden was adamant that the partnership was the key.

“Had (Tristan) Stubbs gone in, we would have still had Temba’s wicket intact but you’re starting a new partnership.

“They were feeling pretty good and wanted to continue.”

Temba Bavuma pushed through to play a pivotal role. Picture: Getty Images

SIGNS WERE THERE, SAYS SOUTH AFRICA

South Africa took confidence out of the stubborn resistance of Australian tail-enders Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

Starc struck his first half-century in six years to take the Aussies from 7-73 to 10-207.

The left-hander shared partnerships of 61 with Alex Carey, 14 with Nathan Lyon and 59 with Hazlewood.

Instead of seeing it as the game slipping away – the Proteas treated it as a welcomed shift in conditions.

“There were signs starting yesterday evening … those types of things might be positive for us,” Prince said.

Mitchell Starc showed the batting conditions had improved at Lord's

“… I would rather suggest (Starc and Hazlewood) were going about their business rather comfortably, I wouldn’t say they were piling it on.

“When you watch tail-enders stick in, there are signs there, the stats suggest day three might be the best for batting.

“There was a lot of maidens, there was a lot of tight overs, they were comfortable – as I said, we tried to take the positives out of that.

“If No.9, or 10 and 11 can be that comfortable, surely, if the stats suggest that the pitch plays its best on day three, perhaps that’s what’s happening.

“We had the sun shining today, I think that’s exactly what happened.”

CATCH, CHAMPION DOWN

The injury to Steve Smith was salt into the Australian wound after he fumbled one of the rare chances South Africa gave on day three.

The unusual lack of bounce since halfway through day two forced Smith under a helmet and within 15 metres of the bat at first slip.

He practised his slips catching in the morning with a helmet on but he fell victim to one of the few balls which flew through to the slip cordon.

Bavuma, on 2 at the time, provided the Australians with little if any chances for the rest of the day.

Originally published as Aiden Markram century, Temba Bavuma bravery: Moments that shaped day three