WTC Final 2025: Aiden Markram’s hundred takes SA closer to win the ICC trophy

New Delhi (India) June 14: On Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against Australia at Lord's, South Africa got closer and closer to winning. South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma battled through injuries to remain undefeated at 65 at Stumps. Opener Aiden Markram came back from a first innings duck to smash a much needed century. After reaching 213/2, SA has just 69 more runs to accomplish the target of 282 and win their first WTC championship.

Early on Day 3, Australia appeared to be in the lead. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood's determined 59-run partnership increased their lead and set South Africa a target of 282.

Markram led South Africa to the verge of a historic victory in the World Test Championship final at Lord's. He defied all odds and silenced his critics with an incredible hundred in the second innings.

He followed in the footsteps of Misbah-ul-Haq (2016) and Michael Vaughan (2002) as the eighth batsman to score a century and a duck in the same Test at Lord's.

South Africa just needed 69 more runs to win with eight wickets remaining after scoring 213 for 2 by stumps in just 56 overs.

After suffering a horrific finger injury on Friday at Lord's, Australia's Steve Smith will miss the rest of the World Test Championship final. While fielding at first slip in South Africa's second innings, he suffered a complex dislocation of his right little finger.

Smith tried to take a quick shot off South Africa's skipper Temba Bavuma when the incident happened. As Mitchell Starc bowled a short ball at 138 kph, Smith, wearing a helmet, had positioned himself unusually close, just 14 metres behind the stumps, with edges rarely carrying to the slips during the match.

Smith's hands were up when Bavuma's thick edge sped at him, but the ball landed inconveniently causing the dislocation. Smith was obviously uneasy and left the pitch right away. Later, Cricket Australia confirmed that he had been sent to the hospital for more medical care and X-rays.

A statement from the Australian team said, "Steve Smith has suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger while fielding in the slip cordon during the ICC Men's World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's. He was assessed by Australian team medical staff at the ground and taken to hospital for X-rays and further treatment.”

Concerns about possible rain on June 14 have been raised by weather reports for the current World Test Championship Final at Lord's, especially for South Africa, who are so close to winning the ICC trophy. The Proteas are only 69 runs away from making history, so bad weather could prove to be their biggest challenge on a day that could bring redemption to a cricketing nation that has long been denied international recognition.

Aadrika Tayal