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Australia bowling coach Daniel Vettori feels that the only way that the side can make a comeback in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against South Africa is through racking up multiple wickets in the first few overs of the fourth day. The Proteas got to touching distance of reaching the 282-run target on Day 3 thanks to the unbeaten 143-run partnership between Aiden Markram (102*) and Temba Bavuma (65*).
There couldn't have been a better time for Markram to score his century as him along with Bavuma relieved South Africa of all the pressure. The former brought up his hundred during the second-last over of the day as the Proteas finished off the third and final session on 213/2 and now are likely to end their 27-year wait for a major international trophy.
South Africa last won a major title back in 1998
The last time that South Africa emerged victorious in a major international tournament was back in 1998 when they beat West Indies in the final of the ICC Knockout Trophy. The tournament's name was later changed to ICC Champions Trophy and it is the name by which it is known today as well.
On the other hand, after posting a big target for South Africa, the Australian bowling attack completely capitulated under the pressure and failed to be any sort of threat for the duo of Markram and Bavuma. Getting a wicket of two in the first few overs of Day 4 will be absolutely pivotal for the Baggy Greens.
"I think the hope for us is that we get a wicket or two in the morning, and then see what it looks like. That's the main challenge for us," Vettori said after the conclusion of the third day at Lord's.
Vettori wasn't shy in praising the South Africa batters for their exceptional performance during the third day and pointed out how they were able to put the pressure back on Australia following a tricky start.
"Exceptional partnership. Navigated any tricky times, and then managed to put pressure back on us, through their running, their ability to dissect the field. It was a real clinic from those two," Vettori said.
However, the former New Zealand skipper also believes that the surface played a big role in aiding South Africa, who were able to make the most out of the conditions.
"The wicket is slow. And you would've seen over the course of the game, that the boundaries are probably lower than what we would've expected than previous Test matches here. So it is difficult scoring here, but South Africa made the most of those [improved] conditions," he stated.
Heading into the fourth day of the match, Australia's first objective will be to break the partnership between Markram and Bavuma as soon as they can. Following that, they will have to shift their focus on getting the seven remaining wickets and will also have to keep in check the number of runs they give away as they do not have many to defend anyway.
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