Heartache and South African cricket have not so much gone hand in hand over the years as been locked in a loveless marriage. But provided they eke out the last 69 runs of what would be an epic run chase on day four, divorce papers can be issued and the World Test Championship mace will be theirs.
At the end of a gripping third day Australia were left praying that South Africa’s habit of imploding at global events – yes, yes, the old chokers tag – might return in the morning. Guided by a sparkling unbeaten 102 from Aiden Markram, and the captain, Temba Bavuma, hobbling through a hamstring injury to finish on 65 not out, the Proteas had reached 213 for two at stumps in pursuit of 282 to win.
Even on a surface that had nodded off after a couple of wicket-filled days, the target looked a steep one, not least against an attack stuffed with trophy hunters. Mitchell Starc had once again underlined the big-game mentality that runs through the defending champions, delivering 58 precious runs during a morning of defiance with the No 11, Josh Hazlewood, and struck twice with the ball.
And yet over the course of 38 overs, the sun beating down on Lord’s and the South African supporters growing increasingly vocal with every run, Markram and his captain got their heads down for an unbroken third-wicket stand worth 143 that had Pat Cummins struggling for answers. Nathan Lyon, a bowler who typically comes into his own in these situations, could not find much purchase.
Not that it was straightforward. Emerging at 70 for two, Bavuma had been frenetic at first, the tension possibly also to blame for pinging his hamstring early on. After all, he had previously spoken about this being the biggest match of his career and, aged 35, this could well be his last shot at international silverware.
And there was a clear chance that came when Bavuma had only two to his name. It went back to the increasingly sluggish pitch and the need for slips to creep ever forward, Steve Smith even donning a helmet as he did so. The danger here, however, is always an edge that climbs. And when Starc duly delivered this, Smith could not cling on. To make matters worse, it caused a stomach-churning compound dislocation to Smith’s right little finger and a trip to hospital.
Thereafter it was a case of studious batting, the odd ball squeezing past the stumps, and one diving effort on the rope from Travis Head as a sweep from Bavuma evaded his paws. But not even the late use of the floodlights or 22 balls in the 90s could break Markram’s focus, the right-hander clipping Hazlewood for an 11th four moments before stumps to reach his eighth Test century. As the South Africa captain who gallingly lost last year’s Twenty20 World Cup final last year from a winning position, Markram will doubly savour it.
Rewinding to the start of play, there was an expectation that, after 28 wickets on the first two days, South Africa’s target would reveal itself early. Instead, resuming on 144 for eight and with a lead of 218 runs, Australia managed to push through to the cusp of lunch with typical gumption, sending their opponents slightly potty in the process and trowelling 63 more on to their final tally.
Although for all the madness of watching Starc and Hazlewood dig in after Kagiso Rabada’s early removal of Nathan Lyon – a ninth wicket of the match for this wonderful fast bowler – the session underlined how much a nibbling surface had gone quiet. As the previous evening had started to demonstrate, the carry was much diminished and the chief threat was the odd delivery keeping low.
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Starc was hugely impressive as a senior man, this his first Test half-century for six years, while Hazlewood continued what has been a recent trend of holding firm at No 11. If Bavuma missed a trick here it was not introducing Markram’s more than serviceable off-breaks sooner, given there were two left-handers at the crease. Finally, before lunch, Markram got his chance and Hazlewood chipped to cover.
Another expectation was that South Africa would need an aggressor such as Ryan Rickelton to get things off to a flyer to have a sniff. The left-hander did not last long, however, a loose drive at a full swinger in Starc’s second over caught behind and confirmed not to be a bump ball with an umpire review. With a makeshift No 3 in Wiaan Mulder strolling out at nine for one, it felt like a hammer blow.
And yet what followed from Mulder and Markram eased the South African nerves in the stands. Underlining the increasingly benign conditions with some crisp back-foot strokes, the pair put on 61 in just over an hour. Mulder eventually fell in Starc’s second spell, the left-armer’s quickest delivery sticking in the surface to plop a catch to cover, but the innings had been given a jolt.
With Markram and Bavuma then driving their side to within touching distance of the mace, the question was whether this could be resumed in the morning or there would still be a twist or two to come. Even in the ascendancy at stumps, South Africa and their long-suffering supporters were staring at a restless night.
