The final of the World Test Championship being played between South Africa and Australia has come to an interesting turn. If the first two days of the match were in the name of bowlers, then the third day was in the name of South African batsmen. The African team had scored 213 runs for two wickets by the end of the third day's play. Aiden Markram (102*) and Temba Bavuma (65*) have brought the Proteas to the threshold of victory. Now South Africa needs 69 more runs to win. They have 8 wickets left. Australia's history of comeback and South Africa's tag of 'chokers' is such that anything is possible until the result of the match is out. The big question is whether South Africa will be able to win the first ICC trophy since 1998.

South Africa won 7 Tests in this WTC cycle. 2 draws and 3 losses. With 69.44% points, it finished first in the table. A thrilling 2-wicket win against Pakistan in Centurion confirmed their ticket to the final. Bavuma's bat averaged 62.60 in this cycle. Markram also performed brilliantly on home grounds. Kagiso Rabada took 5 wickets to wrap up Australia's first innings at 212. Marco Jansen took 3 wickets. South Africa's bowling is their strength. But their batting faltered on the first day at 43/4. Bavuma and David Bedingham (45) added 64 runs on the second day. Then the Markram-Bavuma pair pushed Australia on the backfoot.

Australia won the WTC title in 2023 by defeating India. In this cycle, they won 13 out of 19 Tests. 2 draws and 4 losses. They finished second with 67.54% points. A 3-1 win against India and a 2-0 win in Sri Lanka took them to the final. Pat Cummins took 73 wickets. Mitchell Starc (72) and Nathan Lyon (66) supported him. On the second day, Cummins took 6/28 to bowl out South Africa for 138. But their batting collapsed in the second innings. At 144/8, they could only take a lead of 218 runs. Rabada took 5/51. Australia's chances of victory now depend on getting Markram and Bavuma out early. Australia's record at Lord's is excellent. 18 wins in 40 Tests. 7 losses and 15 draws.

South Africa's choking history raises concerns. Remember their defeat against India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. No ICC title has been won since 1998. But coach Shukri Conrad believes that this team is free from history. If Markram and Bavuma save wickets in the morning. Then South Africa can win the first WTC trophy. Australia is hoping for a final push from Cummins and Starc. This final is a great example of the thrill of Test cricket.

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