With ideal batting conditions at their disposal, Bavuma and opener Markram forged an unbroken partnership of 143 runs against one of Australia’s premier bowling line-ups, leaving South Africa just 69 runs shy of a historic win.
As they chased 282 to triumph, the Proteas finished day three at 213-2, mounting an inspiring effort to secure their first ICC trophy in 27 years.
Bavuma remained unbeaten on 65 from 121 balls, his running hampered but his technique unshaken, while Markram reached 102 not out from 159 balls, registering the highest individual score of the final.
Despite facing a fierce Australian attack featuring four of its top ten all-time Test wicket-takers—totaling over 1,500 wickets—the Proteas pair remained untroubled and solid.
Fortunately for South Africa, the pitch had flattened on day three, offering little assistance to bowlers and proving far more manageable than during the chaotic initial days, which saw 14 wickets fall each. Only four wickets fell on Friday, with none after tea.
Despite their strong position, South Africa is aware of their painful history of squandering winning chances in ICC tournaments. Their sole ICC trophy remains the ICC Knock Out from 1998.
“This would mean an enormous amount for our country,” said Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince. “It reflects what we aim to achieve in Test cricket moving forward. We’ve previously fallen short in white-ball competitions against teams we’ve been favored against. History indicates we have yet to clinch it, so we must stay focused.
“I’m not sure how I’ll sleep tonight. I doubt I’ll manage to fall into a deep sleep!”
Australia, perennial champions, also holds onto hope.
“In the morning, we need to regroup and devise a plan,” Beau Webster stated. “The team will seek any advantage possible. Strange things can occur in this game.
“We attempted new strategies with our bowling attack, but they were simply too effective in the end … credit to both of them for their chanceless innings.”
The odds initially favored Australia as South Africa began their chase right after lunch.
To prevail, a developing batting lineup needed to match England’s historic run chase at Lord’s from 2004.
Although their momentum was momentarily slowed when pacer Mitchell Starc dismissed Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder, South Africa was still in a decent spot at 70-2.
The team demonstrated a positive intent that was absent in the first innings, consistently rotating the strike. Australia managed only three maidens in 56 overs, all delivered by spinner Nathan Lyon.
Starc nearly put South Africa in a tighter position at 76-3, but Bavuma, on just 2, thick-edged a delivery to first slip.
Unfortunately for Australia, Steve Smith, standing unusually close to the wickets due to the ball not carrying to the cordon, failed to hold onto Starc’s 138 kph delivery and broke his right pinkie finger, leading him to leave for medical attention and missing the rest of the final and likely the upcoming series against the West Indies.
Revitalized, Bavuma sustained a hamstring injury just 10 minutes before tea while on 9, yet Prince emphasized his determination to continue despite his visible limp. The captain’s pulls and sweeps, coupled with hobbling runs, animated the South African supporters, allowing him to reach 50 off 83 balls.
Markram, on the other hand, achieved his 50 off 69 balls, impressively executing a late cut off Starc that sliced between two fielders. His reaction to securing his eighth Test century just before stumps was subdued, but he still found the strength to raise his bat in acknowledgment of the applause and embrace from his captain.
The jubilant conclusion to Friday the 13th stood in stark contrast to the disappointing start of the day.
The Proteas had anticipated commencing their chase by bowling out Australia, who resumed on 144-8, a mere half-hour into the day’s play. Lyon was dismissed early, granting Kagiso Rabada his ninth wicket of the match, yet tail-enders Starc and Josh Hazlewood surged on for nearly two hours.
Starc notched his 11th Test fifty, his first in six years. Together, he and Hazlewood’s 50-plus partnership for the 10th wicket tied the all-time Test record.
This stand concluded at 59 runs, with Hazlewood dismissed for 17 by part-timer Markram. Starc remained unbeaten on 58 from 136 balls; he had entered at 73-7, with Australia leading by 147 and contributed largely alongside Alex Carey and Hazlewood to amass 134 additional runs.
The runs amassed by Starc, coupling with South Africa’s 20 no-balls, seemed to secure Australia’s dominance. However, Bavuma and Markram displayed the confidence and skill to defy all odds.
