Aiden Markaram's positive batting at Lords sets the early tone as South Africa ends the second session with 94/2 and needs 188 runs to win the WTC finals 2025.
Australia has put a healthy total of 280 on the board, thanks to Mitchell Starc for his amazing fifty under pressure. South Africa openers Aiden Markaram and Ryan Rickelton made their way into the middle to begin the chase, and for the first time in this Test match, Lord's seems to have become a good surface to bat on.
Early breakthrough for Aussies courtesy of Starc
South Africa began strongly with Rickelton finding boundaries, but it was yet another early breakthrough courtesy of Mitchell Starc, who dismissed Ryan Rickelton for 6(8) as the Proteas lost their first wicket for just 9 runs in 2 overs.
Markaram’s Aggressive Batting Sets the Tone
Though it was not the start South Africa needed, Aiden Markaram's confident start at the other end kept the scoreboard ticking as the ball was nicely coming onto the bat. Meanwhile, Wiaan Mulder, the new batter, took his time to settle in. The surface has become good to bat on as South African batters comfortably played some good strokes down the ground and were playing at 4.5 RPO in the 283-run chase.
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Though Markaram found those early gaps to hit some boundaries, later the tide turned as Markaram went back to defending the balls, and Mulder started to find the gaps for boundaries. Both added a 50-run stand for the 2nd wicket partnership and continued to bat well in the flat conditions. South Africa reached 63/1 at the end of 15 overs.
Australian Bowlers Regroup to Break Partnership
Australian bowlers, who had a break to re-group at the drinks break, came out with a plan after the 15th over. The runs coming from the Proteas batters were limited, and this led to pressure. Mitchell Starc, who returned for his 2nd spell, broke the partnership and dismissed Wiaan Mulder for 27(50) with a soft dismissal caught by Marnus Labuschagne at covers. South Africa lost their 2nd wicket for 70 runs in 17 overs.
Also Read: Mitchell Starc's Fifty Leaves SA Frustrated, Proteas Set To Chase 282 To Win
Dropped Catch Gives Bavuma a Lifeline in Crucial Stand
Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma joined Markaram in the middle, and it was the same story as the previous partnership Aiden Markaram started to get some runs under his belt, giving time for Temba Bavuma to settle down.
Meanwhile, Temba Bavuma survived an early chance as Starc, bowling over the wicket, found his edge only for Steve Smith to drop a tough catch at standing so close at the slip cordon, giving Bavuma an extra life. Both added another 24 runs before going back to the dressing room for the tea break on Day 3 of the WTC finals 2025.
Session two belonged to South Africa, who came out with the plan to counterattack Australian pacers, with the surface helping them massively. Rather than being defensive like the first innings, South Africa’s focus is to score runs frequently and put pressure back on Australia, as currently South Africa needs another 175 runs to win this match and make history at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Stay tuned for the final session highlights.
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