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On Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma did not just battle the Australian bowlers but a hamstring injury in his left leg as well. Bavuma hobbled to take ones and twos but stayed till the end of day's play with Aiden Markram who went on to score a century. As a result, South Africa need only 69 runs with eight wickets in hand to beat Australia and lift the title. In the press conference on June 13, South Africa assistant coach Ashwell Prince said that a big call was taken at tea time and both batters were on the same page.
"At tea time, we had to make a big call whether he continues to bat. How it will affect his stroke play, how that might affect Aiden's rhythm, if twos are being turned into one and they can't run the twos or the threes. Both of them were adamant that Temba has got to continue. He wanted to continue," Prince told the reporters.
Bavuma's injury led to Markram not converting ones into twos and twos into threes. However, despite Bavuma's limitation of running between the wickets, Markram wanted his captain to continue.
"Aiden was adamant that the partnership is the key. Aiden was well aware that he'll have to curb his intensity just in terms of running between the wickets to allow Temba to ease his way through it," Prince added.
Bavuma, Markram frustrate Australians
The resillience paid off. The conditions suited batters at the Lord's. But, it demanded patience from both batters against a world-class bowling attack. The dropped catch by Steve Smith turned out to be a blessing form them.
At tea break, South Africa were 94/2 after 24 overs. Markram was batting on 49 off 66 balls whereas Bavuma had scored 11 runs from 20 balls. In the third session, Bavuma and Markram upped the ante. Markram reached his century from 156 balls. At the end of the day's play, Bavuma remained unbeaten for 65 off 121 balls. The third wicket partnership is already 143 runs. South Africa will look to chase down the target in the first session of Day 4.
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