HIGHLIGHTS | WTC Final, SA vs AUS Day 3: Bavuma, Markram make it South Africa's game to lose
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WTC Final | SA vs AUS Score, Day 3 Photograph: (X/ICC)
SA vs AUS, Day 3: Australia have their nose ahead but SA are in this with a chance on what could be the final day of this Ultimate Test.
SA vs AUS, Day 3: Aiden Markram's superb century on Friday left South Africa on the brink of a dramatic victory in the World Test Championship final against Australia after decades of heartbreak in major tournaments.
South Africa reached the close on the third day at Lord's on 213-2 in their second innings, needing just 69 runs to win, with eight wickets still standing.
Opener Markram, dismissed for a duck in the first innings, was 102 not out and South Africa captain Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 65 despite spending most of his innings limping with a hamstring injury.
The pair have shared an unbroken stand of 143 as South Africa pursue what will be, if they achieve it, the second-highest successful run chase in a Test at Lord's.
The highest chase was the 344 made by the West Indies in 1984.
What a sensational day of Test cricket as South Africa close it on a high as they are just 69 runs away from the target and their maiden ICC title.
Markram has hit a sensational 100 and Bavuma is also on the crease with 50 unbeaten.
SA (2nd innings): 213/2 (need 69 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Sensational century from Markram that too in the final when SA needed it the most. Take A Bow, Markram - you have put Australia on backfoot.
SA (2nd innings): 210/2 (need 72 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
South Africa are approaching 200 runs and they should back themselves to chase this down. Australia have a hill to climb here.
SA (2nd innings): 194/2 (need 88 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
The target is less than 100 now and here it is that we should be asking, can South Africa dream now? They bloody well can and should - Proteas game to lose from here.
SA (2nd innings): 184/2 (need 98 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Bavuma scores his 50 and the duo have also crossed 100 runs in partnership. This is becoming interesting as it is going
SA (2nd innings): 175/2 (need 107 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
This is turning out to be a humdinger of a match as Bavuma and Markram are taking SA forward easily on a day 3 pitch at the Lord's.
SA (2nd innings): 164/2 (need 118 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
South Africa reach another milestone as they cross 150-run mark. Can they dream now?
SA (2nd innings): 154/2 (need 128 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Steve Smith has broken his finger, confirms Cricket Australia to ICC.
South Africa are keeping it very safe at the moment. No unnecessary aggression, no poor shots, they have kept things simple at the Lord's.
SA (2nd innings): 130/2 (need 152 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
A crucial 50-run partnership between Markram and skipper Bavuma and they are looking good for more.
SA (2nd innings): 120/2 (need 162 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
South Africa looking confident about this but as said before, they have to do it for the rest of the session to make a match out it.
SA (2nd innings): 113/2 (need 169 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
This is going rather well for the South Africans as they bring up 100 and inch closer to their maiden ICC title which is still miles away but good start nonetheless.
SA (2nd innings): 100/2 (need 182 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
An important 50 after getting out on a duck in the first innings. Markram fighting hard to keep SA in the game and he has succeeded so far.
SA (2nd innings): 95/2 (need 187 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
A decent session for South Africa as they score 94 runs for the loss of two wickets. They, however, have a lot left to do if they want to chase this total down which is still 188 runs away.
If they manage to score about 70-odd runs in the last session for loss of one wicket - it's anybody's game tomorrow but if we have learned anything from Australia is never count them out till the game is over.
SA (2nd innings): 94/2 (need 188 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Steve Smith has dropped Temba Bavuma at 2!
The ball hits Smith on the fingers and then hits on the shoulder. Smith falls back and hits his head on the ground. He goes out of the ground for treatment.
SA (2nd innings): 80/2 (need 202 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Starc gets a key breakthrough, removes Mulder for 27.
Wiaan Mulder c Labuschagne b Starc 27
SA (2nd innings): 70/2 (need 212 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Markram and Mulder have been solid with their batting against the Aussie attack.
SA (2nd innings): 63/1 (need 219 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
A good start for South Africa. Both Mulder and Markram are batting with positive intent here.
SA (2nd innings): 47/1 (need 235 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Proteas need a big knock from Markram if this score has to be chased down.
SA (2nd innings): 28/1 (need 254 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Starc gets a breakthrough, removes Ryan Rickelton for 6.
SA (2nd innings): 9/1 (need 273 runs to win)
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
South Africa's openers are out there. Starc will take the new ball from the Nursery end. The sun is shining. Markram is on strike: three slips and a gully.
SA (2nd innings): 0/0
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
The final wicket comes but a bit too late as Australia set a 282-run target for South Africa and it is lunch on Day 3
SA (2nd innings): Need 282 to win
AUS (2nd innings): 207 (lead by 281 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Starc is playing a match-winning innings here at Lord's as he nears his fifty and Australia's lead is surging with each of his run in partnership with Hazlewood who himself has played 45 balls.
AUS (2nd innings): 190/9 (lead by 264 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Keshav Maharaj has been brought in. It's an interesting move with two left-handers in the middle. Drinks break.
AUS (2nd innings): 184/9 (lead by 258 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Josh Hazlewood has shown great resilience against Kagiso Rabada, providing strong support to Mitchell Starc. Together, the pair has managed to frustrate the Proteas by steadily adding crucial runs to the total.
AUS (2nd innings): 170/9 (lead by 244 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Rabada has picked up his ninth wicket of the game. He has bowled quite exceptionally well. As per Australia, they need Mitchell Starc to get going now.
AUS (2nd innings): 156/9 (lead by 230 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
Rabada removes Nathan Lyon for 2, Australia nine down
AUS (2nd innings): 148/9 (lead by 222 runs )
Nathan Lyon lbw b Rabada 2
SA (1st innings): 138 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
The South African and Australian players came out wearing black armbands. This was done to mourn the loss of lives during the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad, India.
The sun is shining bright here. Though it is day 3, it may be the final day of the game. However, South Africa needs to get the remaining two wickets here.
AUS (2nd innings): 145/8 (lead by 219 runs )
SA (1st innings): 138/9 (trail by 74 runs)
AUS (1st innings): 212
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