दक्षिण अफ्रीका vs ऑस्ट्रेलिया, फाइनल, लॉर्ड्स, लंदन, 11 June 2025 - कमेंट्री

Length, across off, Kyle Verreynne rises with the bounce and taps it out to short cover.

Oh, my word! An appeal for caught behind from Alex Carey, but the umpire Richard Illingworth shakes his head. One can understand this shot by Kyle Verreynne, as he tried to finish it off in T20 style. Carey is very certain as he believes he heard something, maybe off the glove or the bat. But Australia don't have any review left. And YES, there's a spike on UltraEdge just when the ball passes close to the gloves. Length ball, on leg, Kyle Verreynne shuffles across and tries to play the scoop shot, but misses.

Full toss on the off stump, Kyle Verreynne pushes it back to the right of the bowler.

SOUTH AFRICA WIN THE MACE! A wait of more than 2 decades has finally ended for the Rainbow nation as the Proteas script history, at the Home of Cricket, Lord's. The trophy drought has ended for South Africa. Emotions and tears of happiness run down the faces of all the South African players in the gallery. A full toss, outside off, angled across, Kyle Verreynne drives this through the cover region and has his bat and arms aloft as the ball travels to the ropes. The celebrations begin from Johannesburg to Cape Town, from Pretoria to Paarl, as they believed, and didn't stop dreaming that this day would arrive one day. And their belief and patience have finally fruited after a long, long wait as South Africa win the World Test Championship 2023-25, defeating Australia by 5 wickets.

Hard length, on middle. Kyle Verreynne steers this to deep backward square leg for a single. Just 3 needed to win now.

Hard length again, nibbling away from off. David Bedingham opens the bat face late and dabs the ball to the short third region. The fielder from first slip chases it down and the batters cross for a single.

Fuller and just around off, pushed off the inner half of the bat, to mid off. Cummins there is a bit wide and makes a diving stop to his right.

Too full, on the stumps, Kyle Verreynne drives it straight back to the bowler.

On top of off, Kyle Verreynne taps this length ball into the off side.

THE SCORES ARE LEVEL! Back of a length, outside off, Kyle Verreynne is already standing across the off stump and dabs the ball to the left of the cover fielder. Marnus Labuschagne dives to his left and intercepts the ball. A single taken. All the South African supporters at Lord's eagerly wait as their side is just one run away from glory.

Full and around the off stump. David Bedingham drives it on the front foot to mid off.

One more run closer, are South Africa! A hard-length delivery on off. David Bedingham works with soft hands to the leg side. Cummins at mid on charges towards the ball as he dives forward but does not manage to pick up the ball. Bedingham gets home to the other end with a dive.

An inswinger from Starc, full and on middle and leg. Blocked to mid on.

A wide yorker, across off, Kyle Verreynne tries to dig it out to the off side, but misses to lay any bat on it.

Length, just outside the off stump. Kyle Verreynne pokes at it, playing away from his body, and gets beaten.

Back of a length, across off, punched through point for a single.

FOUR! Extremely positive batting from Markram as he greets the new ball in style. Just 10 runs needed for South Africa to script history! A full ball, on middle and leg, straight on. Aiden Markram flicks this a bit uppishly, wide of mid on to his right, for a boundary.

Into single digits now! Fuller ball, again on the stumps, Aiden Markram flicks this off the front foot, again wide of mid on. But this time, the timing is not that good and the ball loses its steam on the way to the ropes. The batters cross for the third by the time the fielder from the inner ring gets to the ball. Just 7 needed now.

Nagging length, shaping away, outside off, David Bedingham gets beaten on the cut shot.

Fuller, around off, David Bedingham pushes it gently to mid off.

Within a distance of a hit now, are South Africa! Back of a length, around off, David Bedingham punches this through cover-point for a comfortable single.

OUT! CAUGHT! Well, no one in the ground can believe what has happened, least of all, Aiden Markram. He makes a very slow walk off the field. With 6 needed to win and Hazlewood dishing out a length ball, this had six written all over it. Instead it is an anti-climatic wicket. This is a length ball, angled at the leg stump line. Aiden Markram looks to heave this across, but mistimes it off the inner half of the bat, and the ball goes flat towards the right of mid-wicket. Travis Head throws himself with the dive, with both his hands towards the direction of the ball. Falls over but maintains the ball in his hands. The South African players in the Lord's gallery get aloft in applause for this historic knock from Markram. Also, a display of good sportsmanship from the Aussies as almost all players walk towards Markram to appreciate his batting. Markram finally makes it to the Long Room of Lord's and is cheered by the members there as well as he ascends the stairs.

Overpitched on off, Aiden Markram goes for the slog sweep, but doesn't quite get it off the middle of the bat, as he ends up hitting it along the ground to deep mid-wicket. Single taken.

Flighted delivery on off, David Bedingham flicks it to short square leg.

Another tossed up delivery, outside off, David Bedingham defends it off the front foot.

Outside off, punched towards point.

Another appeal for a catch at short leg. Turned down again. Slightly short in length, Bedingham looked to flick it away and the ball went off something towards the keeper, who parried it to short leg. Marnus Labuschagne was very confident this was out, but the umpire was equally confident that this was not out. The replay shows that the ball went off the waist of Bedingham.

On middle, clipped to short mid-wicket.

Length ball on middle, David Bedingham works it towards short mid-wicket.

Back of a length, on off, David Bedingham blocks it back to the bowler.

Length ball, tailing in a bit, just outside off, David Bedingham defends it off the back foot.

A touch short outside off, punched through point for a single.

Short again, outside off, slapped through point for one more.

Outside off, on a length, David Bedingham arches back and punches it towards cover.

Full on middle, David Bedingham flicks it off the front foot to short mid-wicket.

Boos around the ground! This was a shorter off break on middle, David Bedingham went for the flick and hit it towards forward short leg. Travis Head looked to stop it with his right foot and it bounced off his toe, and he took it on the rebound. Australia appealed but the umpire was not sure. Referred it upstairs. Here’s the third umpire on screen. Oh, the slow motion video clearly shows that the ball has hit the ground before bouncing on Travis Head's toe. NOT OUT! 

Full and just outside off, David Bedingham stays back and blocks it off the back foot, right under his eyes.

Full, outside off, David Bedingham leans across and works it through mid on for a single.

Massive shout for LBW. Turned down. No reviews left for Australia. But seemed to be going down any which ways. Quicker ball, outside off, Aiden Markram looks to play that from the crease but the ball pitches and spins in pretty sharply, catching him in front of the stumps. Too much turn. Ball Tracking shows the ball to be clipping the top of leg stump.

Full, around off, Markram works it on the bounce to short leg where Travis Head fields, to ironic cheers at the Lord's.

Length ball seaming in on off, David Bedingham looks to defend it off the front foot and gets it off the outer part of the bat as the ball rolls along the ground to the left of cover-point. Batters take one.

Length ball on middle, Aiden Markram flicks it to the right of mid on and takes a single. 

Pace off, off cutter, on a length, outside off, David Bedingham cuts it straight to cover-point.

FOUR! FABULOUS! What a glorious shot that is. Just the third boundary this morning and that is as good as it gets. Fuller, around middle and off, coming in, David Bedingham offers the full face of his bat and drives it straight back past the bowler, through mid on! 19 needed now!

A bit too straight, tucked towards fine leg for a single.

On a length, outside off, Aiden Markram punches it through the covers but cannot get it past the Rock Of Gibraltar - Marnus Labuschagne - who dives to his right and makes another stop.

Short and outside off, turning in on off, David Bedingham stays back and punches it straight to cover-point.

Slower through the air, tossed up, just outside off, David Bedingham prods forward and tickles it fine as he plays this one with the spin. The ball runs down towards the fine leg region. Mitchell Starc at short fine leg puts on the chase and cuts it off near the boundary. Aiden Markram who has been there for 195 balls calls for the third and completes it as he runs towards the danger end.

Short and on off, Aiden Markram plays the square cut towards deep point for a single.

Shortish, outside off, spinning in, David Bedingham goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker, around off, Aiden Markram looks to force it through the off side, by moving to the leg side but gets a bottom edge back down the pitch.

Full, around off, Markram leans and flicks it towards short mid-wicket.

Short of a length, around off, Aiden Markram rises with the bounce and punches it behind cover-point for a single.

Hard length, on top of off. David Bedingham blocks the ball off the back foot.

Full and straight on middle and leg. flicked to mid on by Markram.

Nagging length, wobbling away from off, David Bedingham taps it out to the off side.

This one just does not lift up, around off, full in length. David Bedingham negotiates well and stabs it onto the pitch.

Back of a length, on the fourth stump, David Bedingham leans forward and works the ball to the mid-wicket region. Hits it more off the inner half of the blade and sets up for a quick single. Starc, from mid on gets to the ball and this allows them to cross over. South Africa need 30 more runs to win now!

Drops it on a shortish length, outside off. Aiden Markram makes room for him by backing away and cuts it to deep point for a single.

Spinning in sharply, from outside off, David Bedingham gets inside the line and tucks it to mid-wicket.

Flat and on a length, on off, punched back by David to the bowler.

Shorter one, outside off, punched to mid off.

Not too full and not too short, outside off, David Bedingham rocks back and cuts it between cover and point. The point fielder runs after it and stops it as the batters cross.

Pitched fuller and on middle. Aiden Markram drills this down to long on for a single. 250 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA, and a huge cheer echoes across the Lord's as the Proteas need 32 runs to win, with 6 wickets in hand.

Nice stop there as this was travelling at the rate of knots! Marnus Labuschagne is the man, who makes a sharp diving stop. Markram cracks the drive on this full ball, but Marnus Labuschagne at cover, dives to his right and makes a half stop, parrying the ball to his right. The batters take a single. That definitely stung and Labuschagne is wringing his hands in pain. Just has a check at his right index finger, to see if there is any damage and the physio is ready to come out for assistance but Marnus sends him back.

Excellent running! Back of a length, outside off, David Bedingham waits for it to arrive and opens the bat face late. Guides the ball to the deep third region. The batters cross for the second hard, and by the time the fielder gets there to deep fine leg and picks the ball, they cross for the third as well.

Length ball, on middle, Aiden Markram works this across through mid-wicket for one.

Starc goes for a yorker, but it comes out as a full toss, on off. David Bedingham pushes this to mid off.

A loud appeal for LBW from Starc but the umpire does not entertain this one. Alex Carey is sprinting towards Starc and Cummins too, joins in the conversation. With only one review remaining, the Aussie skipper does opt for it. And fairly, that stayed a bit low as well. Starc stays around the stumps and lands the ball on a yard behind the fuller length. It pitches and nips back into the batter as David Bedingham tries to work it across, lifting his front leg up, just like that 'Nataraja' shot. But misses as the ball stays low. Now, here is acceptance. The moment the Aussies see the first replay, they start going back to their positions. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and the Ball Tracking shows the impact to be outside the off stump. Australia have now used all their reviews. In hindsight, if the match situation had not been so, Australia might not have used this review. But they don't want to leave any stone unturned and keep fighting till the last ball.

Length, on off and middle. Worked to mid-wicket.

Fuller, outside off, straight on, David Bedingham lunges forward and pushes it back to the bowler.

The length is pulled back, just outside off. Bedingham plays with soft hands and tucks it to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up fuller and outside off, spinning in. Clipped by David to short mid-wicket.

Slows it up, does Lyon, on a length, keeping it outside off, again. DB hangs back and taps it to short mid-wicket again.

Flatter, on the stumps, on a length. steered to the leg side. The ball ricochets off the pads of the short leg fielder and rolls just behind him.

A maiden! Fourth one for Lyon! Full and around off, David Bedingham flicks this to mid-wicket.

A nip-backer on a length, around off. Aiden Markram stays on the back foot and cuts this between point and cover for a single.

An appeal for caught behind from Alex Carey, who is the only one interested. The umpire shakes his head. Mitchell Starc is uncertain and enquires with the keeper whether he heard the nick. Pat Cummins does opt for a review. Short of a good length, cutting across the batter from off, going down leg. Stubbs shapes to go for the pull but misses and Carey grabs the ball behind to his left. UltraEdge shows nothing and Stubbs stays. To be fair, there was a bit of a noise as the ball went past the glove and even in the replays, the ball appeared very close to the glove.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Cleaned him up! Australia still believe and fight hard! Starc gets his third! Starc hits the hard length, but this time, it is a bit fuller than the previous delivery, and the line is around the off stump. It lands and nips back into the batter. Tristan Stubbs leans onto the ball to block it out, but plays over the wrong line as he misreads the ball jagging back into him. Creates a gap between the bat and the pad which is enough for the ball to sneak through and it clips the bails of the leg stump. Stubbs departs now and South Africa are 241/4, needing another 41 runs to win.

BEAUTY! Starc fires this one fuller, and just outside off, straightening up a bit, and stay low. David Bedingham tries to defend but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Good length, around off, nipping away. David Bedingham punches this solidly to short cover.

Fuller and around off, David Bedingham pushes this gently through backward point for a single.

Shorter on middle, Tristan Stubbs works it off the back foot along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Nicely tossed up, just outside off, Aiden Markram pushes it towards mid off and calls for a single.

Overpitched, and well outside off, Tristan Stubbs eases the drive to mid off.

Hmmm... first innovative stroke this morning. Guess the talk in the Drinks break would have been that let's finish off this job now. Tristan Stubbs is not one who is going to block many balls. He tries to make things happen. Attempts the reverse sweep but the ball lands on the rough outside off and darts through, taking the bottom edge back onto the pitch.

Short, outside off, spinning in a long way, Tristan Stubbs works it towards short mid-wicket.

That's beautifully bowled. Flighted, outside off, Stubbs is caught into lunging for the drive but the ball pitches and then spins past the outside edge.

Length ball on off, Tristan Stubbs blocks it off the back foot to short cover.

Back of a length, angling in around off, Tristan Stubbs blocks it into the ground.

Back of a length, on off stump line, Tristan Stubbs pushes it off the back foot to mid on.

A touch wider outside off stump, 140 kph, Tristan Stubbs reaches out and pushes it behind point for a single.

A short ball now, Aiden Markram takes on the delivery which barely comes up to chest height. Pulls it comfortably over square leg. Does not time it that well, which allows Josh Hazlewood to jog across from deep backward square leg to his left to get to the ball. Strangely, just a single taken.

Direct hit would have had Stubbs! Mini chance for Australia. Full, outside off, Stubbs comes forward and pushes it towards mid off. For some reason, he wants that quick single on the last ball before the Drinks break. It is Pat Cummins at mid off who quickly gets to the ball and releases the throw as quickly as well, at the bowler's end. Stubbs dives but is well short of his crease. Luckily for him, the throw misses the stumps.

Slower through the air, shorter, pitches well outside off, and turns in big time, coming on off stump, Aiden Markram rocks back and somehow manages to get some bat on it as he under-edges it.

Full on off, Aiden Markram blocks it off the front foot.

Flighted delivery on off, Aiden Markram looks to drive it and gets a thick outside edge that goes wide of the first slip fielder and runs down towards the deep third region. The deep backward point fielder runs to his left and cuts it off near the boundary. Two runs taken.

Tossed up, outside off, Aiden Markram gets a big stride to meet the ball.

This one bounces sharply, from outside off, from slightly short of a length, Markram is surprised by the sudden bounce but manages to work it wide of short leg, towards short mid-wicket.

Outside off, fuller, pushed towards short mid-wicket.

From round the wicket comes Mitchell Starc, lands it on a length, well outside off, the ball seams away a touch. Tristan Stubbs throws his bat at it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Length ball, angling in on off, this time Tristan Stubbs defends it off the crease to short cover.

Length ball angled into the right hander, on off stump,  Tristan Stubbs blocks it to short cover and screams out a loud 'NO'.

Full and just outside off, Tristan Stubbs pushes it down towards mid on.

Outside off, pushed into the covers.

On the money, just on off stump, Stubbs defends. Now. that's a rarity, a maiden for Starc.

Fuller and around off, Tristan Stubbs stays back and blocks it, back to the bowler.

BEATEN! Tossed up, well outside off, Tristan Stubbs looks to defend it off the front foot, playing for the turn, but the ball didn't land in the rough and went straight with the arm, and past the outside edge.

Full, off break, on off, Tristan Stubbs blocks it off the front foot.

A touch short, outside off, spinning in, Tristan Stubbs goes back and punches it back down the ground. Lyon himself stops it.

Flighted, outside off, Stubbs gets back and across to block.

That spun a mile. Pitched well outside off, on a shorter length, Stubbs waited for the ball to come in before working it through mid-wicket, for a single. 49 more needed for the win now.

A bit fuller in length, on middle and leg. Tristan Stubbs pushes it straight back and the ball hits the stumps at the other end. Cummins did try to get some part of his hand on the ball by bending, but can't do so as he runs a bit too wide in his followthrough. Markram, at the other end, was certainly out of his crease when the ball crashed into the stumps.

Length, on off, punched to short cover.

Fuller ball, outside off, Tristan Stubbs strides across to defend it to short cover.

A desperate review by Australia, not wanting to let any chance go. Just that this never looked like one. Length ball, angling at the pads, slanting in further. Stubbs shaped to work it to the leg side, but plays over the wrong line and the ball passed close to the inside edge before rapping him on the front pad. It then rolled to the square leg region and the batters crossed for a leg bye. Cummins started to appeal a bit late but umpire Chris Gaffaney moved away. Without any discussion with his keeper, Patrick decided to review. UltraEdge shows no spike and the Ball Tracking shows what we assumed. Passing outside and over the leg stump.

FOUR! Proactive, is Markram! Cummins bashes this a bit too short, on the bodyline. Aiden Markram picks the length in a trice and pulls this behind square leg for a boundary.

Straight and full, on middle. Markram defends it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, around the leg stump. Tucked to short mid-wicket by Markram.

Fuller, on the fourth stump, Aiden Markram presses ahead and defends onto the pitch.

Hazlewood and Cummins are certainly asking some questions to the batters! This is touch full, at the stumps, holding its line with an extra lift. Aiden Markram looks to play the on drive, but has to adjust to keep it out to the off side due to the extra bounce.

Fuller, on off, pushed to mid off.

Nagging length, around off, Aiden Markram with the back foot punch into the off side.

Aims the sticks, does Josh, right on middle, Aiden Markram defends this full ball. A maiden from Josh Hazlewood, his second, and only the fifth maiden in the entire innings so far.

Speared in full, and on off. Tristan Stubbs with a firm block on the front foot.

Ahh, this one cuts away from the batter, on a length, around off. Tristan Stubbs is squared up and hangs his bat to punch it down, but the ball flirts past his outside edge as it moves away. It doesn't carry, as Alex Carey has to collect the ball on a bounce.

Fuller and straighter, outside off. Tristan Stubbs drives this to short cover.

Shortish delivery, angling onto the pads. Tristan Stubbs hops across inside the line of the ball and nudges this through square leg. By the time Josh Hazlewood mops it up to his left from deep fine leg, Markram and Stubbs cross each other twice.

Straight on the stumps, full, Tristan Stubbs defends it out to mid on.

On a length, on off, another block by Stubbs. He looks for a single as the ball rolls into mid off, but Markram is not interested at all. 

Good length, outside off, Stubbs gets on top of the ball to block it, off the inside half of the bat.

In-between length, just in the vicinity of the off pole, nibbling away. Tristan Stubbs gets on the back foot and punches it through backward point for an easy single.

Now, the line is on the stumps, with length the same, behind full. Aiden Markram opens up a bit to tap it out to the cover region.

Short of a good length, on top of middle and off, Aiden Markram gets on the toes and steers this to the mid-wicket region for a quick single. Every run is being cheered now.

Nice and full, straight on, around off. Tristan Stubbs gets on the front foot and defends it to mid off.

Good length, on middle, just springing off the deck a bit, Tristan Stubbs tucks it across wide of mid on for a single.

Hits the deck really hard, does Patrick, on top of off. Aiden Markram replies with a back foot punch, onto the pitch.

BEATEN! This is that inviting line and length, fraction full and outside off, nipping away off the deck. Aiden Markram almost falls for the trap as he gets forward, not enough to get to the pitch of the ball, though. Goes for a cracking cover drive, only to get beaten past the outside edge.

FOUR! Positive batting! Back of a length, outside off, cutting away from the batter. Enough width for Aiden Markram to rock back and punch it through cover-point for a boundary.

Nagging length, deviating a shy bit away, on off. Aiden Markram blocks it right under his eyes.

Cummins goes full, attacks the stumps, Aiden presses forward and defends it out to mid off.

In front of the sticks, full, Aiden Markram with the front foot block to mid on. South Africa need 60 more runs to win, with 7 wickets in hand.

Short and wide outside off, Aiden Markram slaps it behind point for a single. 

On a good length, around off, coming in, Tristan Stubbs pushes it defensively towards mid off.

Huge shout for LBW, but umpire Richard Illingworth shakes his head. No one interested in reviewing, as that seemed to be sneaking down. On a length, around off, nips back in sharply, Stubbs is caught in his crease as he looks to flick and misses, getting hit on the pads.

Just on a length, outside off, Tristan defends is solidly.

Full and straight, TS pushes it towards mid on.

Full, just outside off, defended solidly towards cover.

That bounced. On a length, outside off, Aiden Markram was looking to meet it on the front foot but was taken aback by the sudden lift. Managed to keep his hands down and fend it on the ground to the off side.

Now this stays low. Similar length, Markram looked to play the cut on the back foot but the ball hardly went above the shin and bounced well in front of the keeper, Alex Carey.

Fine shot. Fractionally fuller, outside off, Aiden punches this down the ground, through mid off. Marnus Labuschagne is a bit wide at that position and has to run after the ball. Gets to it near the ropes, puts in a slide and returns the throw. Good hobble by Bavuma to help his partner for the third run.

Length pulled back, outside off, Temba Bavuma looks to punch but gets a bottom edge towards cover.

Full and straight, Bavuma defends it down the track.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Pat Cummins strikes early this morning. Finally a wicket for Australia, after waiting for more than 41 overs. Cummins and Hazlewood have been honing that length just short of full, with the line just outside off. That means, the batter has to play at that. Temba Bavuma does so but the ball then moves away slightly, a fraction late. That is enough, to take the outside edge and the keeper, Alex Carey, does the rest. The Lord's stands up as one for the inspirational Bavuma as he walks back for a fantastic 66, which is no less important than the centurion at the other end. The 147-run stand has been broken. South Africa are 217/3 and need another 65 for victory.

Super start first up. On the money, just outside off, Temba Bavuma looks to defend but the ball pitches and then moves away late, to beat the outside edge.

Similar ball, moving away late. But this time, Bavuma, learning from the previous delivery, keeps his bat inside the line of the ball and lets it pass.

Fuller, slightly wider outside off, coming in with the angle. Temba lunges and shoulders arms.

On a length, just outside off, stays low a fraction, the skipper gets back to block.

Back of a length, outside off, TB stays back and pushes it towards cover.

Landed just in the line outside off, on a length, the skipper gets right behind it to push the ball towards mid on. Just the 4th maiden in this innings and the first by anyone other than Nathan Lyon.

A huge roar! No, it is not a boundary or a wicket. Just feel that there are a lot of South Africans at Lord's this morning and they are going to cheer each and every ball. A length ball, around off, Temba Bavuma defends solidly.

Full and straight, pushed towards mid on.

This one nips back in from outside off, Bavuma looks to flick from the crease but misses and is hit on the pads. Ooohhs and aahhs from the Aussies but that was going down leg.

The first run of the day! Slightly overpitched, outside off, Temba leans and pushes this wide of cover for a single. He is still hobbling. Just a few minutes more and he would not even remember that pain.

The length is pulled back and Markram defends it to the leg side.

On a good length, outside off, moving away slightly, Aiden Markram gets right behind the line to block.

Tossed up on off, Temba Bavuma defends it to point and screams out a loud 'NO'.

Tossed up, given a lot of air, outside off, Temba Bavuma leans into the drive as he drives this one off the front foot through extra cover. Two more runs added to the total.

A touch quicker, on the fuller side again, Temba Bavuma lunges and blocks it.

Full, outside off, Bavuma reaches out and pushes it towards point for a single. Bit harsh from the skipper, thought he will not give strike to Markram at this stage, allowing his emotions to sink in. 69 more needed to win.

Full, outside off, pushed to the off side.

Around off, Markram stands back and defends. STUMPS ON DAY 3, SOUTH AFRICA 213/2, 69 NEEDED FOR VICTORY!

Steep bounce for Hazlewood, length and on off. Aiden Markram adjusts to that excessive lift and dabs it out to the off side.

Back of a length, on top of off, Aiden Markram presents a solid back foot punch to the short cover region.

Identical line and length, just that this one nips back in a touch. Markram hits it off the back foot, from the inner half of the bat to short cover.

Full, around off, driven to cover.

FOUR! HUNDRED FOR AIDEN MARKRAM! An inning of substance and highest quality from him. Probably one of the most important knocks he has played in his Test career. And this couldn't have come at a better occasion - in the Finale of the World Test Championship, while chasing a mountainous target of 282, and that too, against the toughest opposition like Australia. The South African players in the Lord's gallery get aloft with broad smiles and the crowd is up on its feet, applauding this superb batting from the right hander. He was in his 90s since a while, and this will make him a bit more relaxed. Coming to the delivery, Josh fires this fuller and angles on the middle and leg stump line. Aiden Markram gets on the front foot and flicks this neatly through mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. Removes his helmet, raises his bat to the heavens, hugs his skipper, Bavuma, who has equally played an inning of valor himself. He soaks all the cheer from the crowd in London. Former South African batter, AB de Villiers, also captures this moment in his phone, while of course with a huge smile on his face. In the toughest examination of Test cricket, Markram has passed with flying colors. This marks his 8th Test century.

Length delivery, on off, Aiden Markram cuts it off the back foot to point.

Full, spinning in from off, Temba Bavuma tucks this to the leg side with soft hands.

Lands on that dark rough patch, full and outside off, Temba Bavuma leans with a huge stride to defend it out.

Fairly outside off, full too, Temba Bavuma covers the stumps and eases it out to backward point.

A yard behind fuller length, around off, Temba Bavuma watchfully defends it off the back foot.

Flighted up fuller, outside off, Temba Bavuma pushes it to point.

Slower through the air, full and outside off. Temba Bavuma spreads across the crease on the front foot and slashes it through covers. By the time Cameron Green chases the ball to the deep from the inner ring, Bavuma and Markram cross each other twice.

A surprise bumper from Hazlewood, on the top of off. Temba Bavuma comfortably pulls this to deep square leg for a single.

Goes fuller now, on middle. Aiden Markram flicks this to short mid-wicket.

Short of a length, around off. Aiden Markram controls the pull shot, keeps it along the ground for a single at deep square leg. South Africa need 79 as Markram moves to 98!

Nagging length, in front of middle. Temba Bavuma gets on the front foot and gently pushes it back to the bowler.

Outside off, straight on, fractionally full in length. Bavuma lets it be.

Bangs it into the pitch, does Josh Hazlewood, on the top of the stumps, climbing over the batter's shoulders. Temba Bavuma gets a bit across and inside the line to pull it towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Nice and full, spinning in, Bavuma clips to short mid-wicket.

Pulls the length back, around off, Temba Bavuma taps it off the back foot to the short leg fielder.

Slow, full, gripping into the batter. Temba Bavuma leans forward and eases it in front of the short leg fielder.

200 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA! Prodigious turn for Lyon as he pitches this on a fullish length, outside off. The ball spins all the way across the batter and beats Bavuma's bat who tries to work to the leg side. The ball rolls between the keeper and the fielder at leg slip as the batters take a couple of runs as byes, by the time fine leg gets around.

Full, on off, driven through cover for one.

Spins into the pads from middle, on a length. Aiden Markram lets the ball ram into his front pad.

Pitched on that in-between length, on middle and leg. Markram nudges this to square leg.

Oh, some extra bounce there! Length ball, lifting off the deck on top of off. Aiden Markram drops his wrists to negotiate this steep bounce and fends it off the splice of the bat. It goes on the bounce wide of second slip where Beau Webster does well to dive to his right to stop the ball.

Nagging length, cutting back off the surface. Aiden Markram works this to mid-wicket.

Straighter, fuller, on the stumps, Aiden Markram pushes this to mid on.

Attacks the stumps, does Josh Hazlewood, full in length. Aiden Markram watchfully blocks it out.

FOUR! That has gone as straight as an arrow! Markram moves to 97, just one hit away from a century at Lord's! This is pitched quite fuller, and right in front of the stumps. Aiden Markram, with a straight bat face, creams the straight drive. Josh Hazlewood, in his followthrough, tries to stop the ball by bending to his right, but the ball ricochets off his fingers and rolls down the ground for a boundary. No fielder there to cut it off. Also, the replays show that Temba Bavuma tried to plonk his bat inside the crease at the other hand, seeing the ball deflecting off Hazlewood's finger. And had the ball hit the stumps, Bavuma was a goner as his bat didn't arrive inside the crease.

Full, around off, Aiden Markram lunges to defend.

A bit more revolutions on the ball, 88 kph, outside off, a touch too full, Markram puts in a stride to block it to the off side.

That one stays low and spins in sharply from outside off. Additionally, it is delivered with a scrambled seam. Aiden just about manages to get his bat down in time to clip the ball through fine leg for a single. The stand moves to 120.

FOUR! SMOKED! Full, outside off, Temba Bavuma gets down and mows the sweep powerfully through square leg! Don't worry about that hamstring, it is perfectly fine! 88 more needed now.

Outside off, pushed towards cover.

Full, around off, pushed down through mid on but mid-wicket mops it up.

Full and straight, stays low a touch, Aiden Markram crouches and pushes it towards short mid-wicket.

A length ball, around off, Markram defends it solidly towards mid on.

Similar ball, this time Aiden stays inside the line, allows the ball to come, opens the face of his bat and guides it behind point for a single.

On a length, around off, moves away slightly, bounces a tad extra, Temba Bavuma pushes it towards cover pretty watchfully.

Full and straight, Bavuma clips it through mid-wicket but cannot get it past the fielder.

Length ball, pretty straight, Temba defends it from his crease.

Oohhh... big turn. Landed on the rough, short of full, Aiden Markram goes back to punch but the ball spins back prodigiously to cramp him for room and take the bottom edge.

Back to focus. This time, Markram is fully forward to defend.

Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.

Full and straight, Temba Bavuma leans and pushes it towards short mid-wicket.

Full and on leg stump, Bavuma gets down and paddles this through fine leg. By the time Mitchell Starc can get to the ball from deep backward square leg, Bavuma charges back for the second. Yes, he did charge.

Full, around off, Temba lunges to smother the spin.

Full, around off, driven towards mid on.

Fuller again, Aiden Markram goes hard on the drive and gets it off the inner half of the bat towards mid-wicket.

Shorter in length, defended from the crease.

Landed outside off, Markram crouches and goes back, aiming to dab it behind point. Cannot get it past the fielder and declines the run.

Full, outside off, Aiden leans and drives it towards cover.

Down the leg side, helped towards long leg for a single. Markram moves to 90.

Full, outside off, Temba Bavuma gets a good stride to defend.

Full, outside off, Bavuma works it towards short mid-wicket.

Flighted, outside off, 90 kph, Temba dead-bats it.

Quicker through the air, 91 kph, TB defends it towards mid on.

Ha ha ha!!!! Ohh... love it when players replay certain moments. Lyon switches to around the wicket and drops it a tad short, around middle and leg, The skipper looks to work it to the leg side but the extra bounce induces an inside edge. The ball gets lodged in the gap between the pad and the left knee and instinctively, Bavuma looks to take the ball and hand it over to the fielder. But then, suddenly, he remembers the controversy which happened with David Bedingham in the first innings and stops himself. Asks the fielder whether the ball is dead and can he give and then, gives the ball. Smiles everywhere.

Full, around off, watchfully defended. Just the third maiden in this innings, all by Lyon.

Length ball, outside off, Temba Bavuma shoulders his arms to that one.

Another good length ball, this time on middle, Temba Bavuma defends it to mid on.

Length again, on off, Temba Bavuma crisply drives this square of the wicket, Marnus Labuschagne at cover-point dives to his right and makes a good save.

A gentle-paced delivery, outside off, on a length. Temba Bavuma hits it on the up, and wide of the cover fielder for a quick run.

FOUR! South Africa need under three digits now! That's cheekily played by Markram! Even with a wide gully in place, Aiden Markram guides this length ball very fine and very late, between the keeper and the gully fielder for a boundary at deep third. 98 runs needed to be exact.

Nagging length, around off, blocked well by Markram.

FIFTY FOR BAVUMA! One of the best knocks in his entire Test career, one would imagine. He is not 100 percent but has fought it out there for his side, ensuring that the Aussies don't get an inch. Not much of a celebration, just a calm raise of the bat towards the dressing room. He knows that the bigger celebration will be around the corner when the remaining runs are scored. Tossed up on off, Temba Bavuma gently pushes it into the off side and completes the single.

Flighted delivery on off, Aiden Markram drives it to short cover.

A touch quicker, fuller, turning in on off, Aiden Markram hangs back and defends it off the back foot. 

FOUR! Gloriously played! Quick hands! Short of a length from Lyon, spinning in from off, Aiden Markram gets deep inside the crease and cuts it cleanly through the point region, and beats the fielder's chase for a boundary.

Full, on leg, clipped to the leg side.

Pitches on middle and then turns off to the leg stump line quite sharply. Aiden Markram rocks back and decides to offer no shot. Pads it and the ball lobs in front of the short leg fielder. South Africa need 103 more runs to win now!

Beau Webster bowls this from wide of the crease. The length is on the fuller side. The line is on off. Temba Bavuma defends it off the front foot back to the bowler.

Length ball angling into the right hander, Temba Bavuma flicks it to short mid-wicket.

Back of a length, on off, Temba Bavuma punches it off the crease to short cover.

Back of a length at a gentle pace, just outside off. Temba Bavuma plays it on the rise and slashes this through point for one.

Fractional full, outside off, driven off the front foot by Markram, straight to the man at point.

In front of the sticks, full in length. Aiden Markram responds with a firm block on the front foot.

FOUR! All happening here at the Home of Cricket! Tossed up on off, Temba Bavuma decides to take on Lyon as he slog sweeps this delivery to the right of deep mid-wicket. Substitute Sam Konstas from deep mid-wicket comes running at the ball and goes for the catch but as he dives in front, the ball lands just short of him and goes through eventually, for four. 100-RUN STAND IS UP!

Short and just outside off, Temba Bavuma defends it off the back foot to the left of short cover and takes a quick single.

Tossed up on middle, Aiden Markram hangs back and plays the push to short mid-wicket.

Ah, some bite there! Length ball, sharply turning back in from outside off. Aiden Markram gets on the back foot and is surprised by the turn and bounce. It also comes quicker than Markram anticipated, and just manages to fend it to the off side.

Nice and full, around the off pole. A huge stride forward by Markram to defend it out.

Spins back in from off, on a length. Aiden Markram goes deep inside the crease to punch it back to the bowler.

Back of a length, outside off, Temba Bavuma cuts it square of the wicket, along the ground to deep point for a single.

Length ball on middle, Aiden Markram defends it off the back foot to catching mid on.

Oh! Again the uneven bounce! Length ball outside off, that rises sharply. Aiden Markram was looking to play the cut, but is surprised by the extra bounce as the ball hits the upper part of his bat and goes wide of the backward point fielder. The deep point fielder runs to his left and cuts it off. Two runs taken. Oh, Beau Webster has overstepped.

Full on middle, Aiden Markram drives it to mid on.

Length, sliding back in and around off. Markram watchfully blocks this out.

On middle and on a good length. Markram works this to square leg.

Back of a length, stays low, outside off. Aiden Markram tries to dab it through short third, but due to the lack of bounce, he ends up chopping it off the inside edge, onto the front pad.

Tossed up, slower through the air, Aiden Markram rocks on the back foot and punches it along the ground to the left of deep extra cover for two runs.

Overpitched on off, Aiden Markram lunges to defend. The ball doesn't turn as it goes straight and takes the outside edge and goes rolling along the ground to short third. Single taken.

Slower through the air, tossed up, outside off, and turns in sharply. Temba Bavuma lunges in defense and misses it as he wears it on the body.

BEATEN! Ooohs and aaaahhhs for spin! Full and flat, outside off, turning back sharply. Temba Bavuma leans on to play the defensive shot but gets beaten by the turn.

Length, spinning back in from outside off, Temba Bavuma turns this to square leg and rushes through for a quick single. The fielder there is quick to pick and release the throw in a motion, and even scores a direct hit at the bowler's end, where Bavuma hobbles a bit on the run, but somehow, manages to get home before the ball hits the stumps. 

Drags the length, on off, Markram tucks it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Length ball on off, Temba Bavuma drives it straight to short cover.

Length ball on middle, Temba Bavuma defends it towards short cover and sets off for a quick single.

FOUR! Superb placement from Aiden Markram! All hands! Length ball outside off, Aiden Markram plays the cut as he splits the gap between, deep backward point and deep third man fielders to perfection.

Fuller and just outside off, Aiden Markram presses forward and defends it out to cover-point.

EDGED, but goes through the vacant gully region. Markram tries to slash this length ball from outside off. But gets a thick outside edge and the ball rolls behind to widish deep backward point. A single taken.

Bavuma now drills this full ball to the mid off region.

Full and on middle, Temba Bavuma drives this down the ground to long on for a single.

Full and on middle, Aiden Markram looks to defend it and the ball turns and hits the inner part of his bat.

Tossed up just outside off, the ball lands in the rough as Aiden Markram goes for the wild slog and balls turns big time and misses the stumps as well as the bat and the keeper. Batters manage to sneak in two byes. The 150 is up for South Africa and they are inching closer to the target. Need another 132 runs to win.

Lands just around that dark rough patch, on a fullish length. The ball bites and takes a sharp turn into the batter. Markram patiently tucks this to the square leg region.

FOUR BYES! Well, when it rains, it pours! Lyon overcompensates and bowls this on the leg stump line. The ball lands and turns away from the batter as Makram looks to clip into the leg side. Since there's no leg slip in place, the ball trickles down to the deep fine leg fence.

Length on off, Markram hangs back and works it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Nothing going Australia's way! Mitchell Starc bowls this one from wide of the crease, and lands it on a full length, just outside off, Aiden Markram goes for a booming drive and ends up outside edging it. The ball goes wide of the gully fielder, Travis Head, who puts on a despairing dive to his left and doesn't get any hand on it, as the ball runs away to the deep third fence.

Very full on off, Aiden Markram looks to drive it on the up and almost spoons up a catch to mid off, as  the ball goes on the bounce to mid off.

Length ball, outside off, Aiden Markram plays the cut shot, but it goes along the ground to the gully fielder.

FOUR! Stylishly played! Too full from Starc, on middle and leg, from around the stumps. Aiden Markram with a straight bat face and a still head, plays the on drive, past mid on for a boundary. 

The scoreboard just keeps ticking for the Proteas! Shortish delivery at the pads, Aiden Markram glances this through backward square leg for a single.

Length ball, on off, Temba Bavuma opens the bat face and guides this between short third and backward point for a single.

Length ball tailing back a little, Temba Bavuma looks to defend it off the front foot, as the ball hits the inner half of his bat and goes into the leg side towards short mid-wicket.

Length ball, outside off, in the channel, Temba Bavuma shoulders his arms to that one. Oh, Pat Cummins has overstepped. NO BALL!

FOUR! Lovely stroke from the South African Captain! Poor delivery, overpitched on off, Temba Bavuma times it sweetly as he plays the straight drive, down the ground for four. It was more of a check drive, really!

Back of a length, just outside off, Temba Bavuma blocks it off the back foot.

A short ball, that slows off the deck and arrives late, around off. Temba Bavuma drops it beside the pitch on the off side.

Another short delivery, on the bodyline. Temba Bavuma swivels and pulls it to square leg. A sharp stop there by the fielder, who moves to his left from backward square leg. A single taken.

Skids through the deck quickly, on the fourth stump. Aiden Markram pins the ball through backward point and scoots through for a single.

Shorter length off break, on off stump line, Aiden Markram punches it off the back foot, back to the bowler.

A touch fuller, on off, Aiden Markram stills plays it off the back foot as he makes some room and punches it in the gap through the extra cover region. Pat Cummins tracks it down from cover and gets to the ball near the boundary with a slide. There is a third on offer but Bavuma puts his hand up, signalling to Markram that he won't be able to make it.

A touch quick, short length off break on middle, Aiden Markram pushes it back to the bowler.

Drops a full ball, on the stumps, around leg. Aiden Markram hangs back and steers it to short mid-wicket.

Flighted up, full on the leg stump, Aiden leans forward and defends it to the leg side.

Pushed slower through the air, but outside the leg stump. Aiden Markram tries to nurdle this full ball to the leg side, but misses to lay any bat. The ball grazes his front pad and rolls behind through the short fine leg region. The fielder from square leg chases the ball with a slide. The batters, though, hare back for the second and the throw is towards the bowler's end, where Bavuma just about gets home.

Length ball shaping away, outside off, Temba Bavuma leaves it alone.

Again length from Pat Cummins, this time the line is on off, Temba Bavuma comfortably blocks it under his eyes.

Full on off, Temba Bavuma plays the off drive to mid off.

At 137 kph, Cummins bowls this full and on the pads. Temba Bavuma misses his flick shot and the ball rams into his front pad before rolling into the leg side.

Straight and full, on off, Temba Bavuma weighs forward, gently punches this straight down the ground and scampers through back for the second run by the time mid off chases the ball.

Outside off, hard length, guided off the back foot to backward point.

This isn't that short, on off, Aiden Markram still rocks on the back foot and pushes it to back to the bowler.

Full and on middle, Aiden Markram looks to defend it off the front foot, the ball drifts away a touch as it takes the outside half of the bat and rolls along the ground to short cover.

Short and on off, Aiden Markram rocks back and punches it through the extra cover region and takes couple of runs.

Drops it fuller, does Lyon, on off, from around the stumps. Aiden Markram drills this down to long on. Milks a single.

Pulls the length back and slides this across off, Temba Bavuma goes deep in the crease and taps it out.

Flighted up, fuller and on the stumps. Temba Bavuma with a huge lunge forward, goes for the defensive block, but the ball takes a bit of an outside edge and rolls to the short third region. A single taken. South Africa need 158 more runs to win.

Full and drifting on the pads, Aiden Markram flick and misses. The ball hits his front pad and goes into the leg side. Oh it's not given a leg bye. Possibly Aiden got some bat on it. Single taken. And that will bring up the 50-RUN PARTNERSHIP between these two.

Full on off, Temba Bavuma presents the full face of the bat and defends it off the front foot to short cover.

Length ball on middle, Temba Bavuma flicks it straight to short mid-wicket.

Fires it fuller on off, Temba Bavuma taps it out to the point region.

Slanting toward the leg stump line, on a length. Temba Bavuma tucks this across to short mid-wicket.

Attacks the stumps, keeping the length full, Bavuma keeps it out to the off side.

Short on off, Temba Bavuma punches it off the back foot and manages to hit it wide of short mid-wicket. The deep mid-wicket fielder runs to his left and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Again a shorter length, off break, on off, Temba Bavuma covers for the line of the ball and pushes it to short mid-wicket.

Tossed up, fuller on off, Temba Bavuma defends it to short cover.

EDGED, FOUR! Floated fuller and angled across off, Temba Bavuma gets on the front foot to guide the ball to the off side, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball beats the biggest wingspans on the field - Beau Webster - at first slip and runs away to the boundary. Bavuma played that with soft hands, so the edge did not carry to the fielder.

Full in length and on the off stump. Temba Bavuma works this to the point region.

Nicely flighted up, full and just outside off. Temba Bavuma defends it out watchfully.

Good length ball around off, Temba Bavuma defends it off the back foot towards short cover.

Length ball skidding off the surface, Temba Bavuma steers it down to the vacant deep third region. The fielder from deep backward point runs to his left and cuts it off near the boundary. Meanwhile, the batters complete two runs.

Full on off, Temba Bavuma defends it to mid off, showing the full face of the bat. 

That's another fine pull shot. A short ball, outside off, Temba Bavuma swivels again, lifting his front leg and pulling it to deep backward square leg for a single. 169 more needed.

Full and straight, Aiden Markram looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. Josh Hazlewood appeals for LBW but the umpire turns it down. No real support from behind and eventually, Hazlewood himself accepts that it would have gone down the leg side.

Full and wide outside off, Markram puts in a huge lunge and shoulders arms.

Length ball on off, Temba Bavuma defends it off the front foot to the left of short cover and takes a single.

Oh! Uneven bounce! Length ball that rises sharply. Aiden Markram was lunging in front to defend it and is taken aback by the extra bounce as the ball hits the upper part of his bat and rolls into the off side.

A touch fuller and on midddle, Aiden Markram comfortably blocks it back to the bowler.

Full and straight, Aiden Markram offers the full face of his bat and pushes it down the ground. Sets off for a single but then changes his mind as mid on gets across quickly.

Full and straight, this time Markram manages to get it wide of mid on, to his left and takes the single.

That's nicely played. A short ball, around off, Bavuma tests his hamstring again as he lifts his front leg and pivots on the pull, playing it all along the ground through square leg, for a run. The stand moves to 40 (68).

Good length delivery angling in on middle, Temba Bavuma comfortably defends it to mid on. The pitch has slowed down quite a bit and Bavuma's finding it easy to play off the crease waiting for the ball to arrive.

Full on off, Temba Bavuma blocks it off the front foot to short cover.

Length ball angling into the right hander, on middle leg, Temba Bavuma works it square of the wicket towards deep square leg for a single.

And Hazlewood celebrates! For half a second. Because he then realizes that it is not a wicket. On a length, outside off, cuts back in sharply, Aiden Markram looks to punch but the late movement takes the inside edge and nearly goes onto the stumps. Goes wide of fine leg and it is another couple of runs taken by the batters. That hamstring is getting worked over nicely for Bavuma.

Outside off, steered through point for a single.

Landed outside off, Temba Bavuma just presses forward for a defense, opens the face of his bat at the last moment and takes a single in front of point.

Length ball on middle, Temba Bavuma defends it off the crease, right under his eyes.

Touch fuller on off, Temba Bavuma looks to drive it on the up, the ball straightens a touch after pitching and hits the outer part of Temba's bat and goes on the bounce to short cover.

Length ball on middle, Temba Bavuma defends it towards catching mid on.

On a good length, outside off, Temba Bavuma shoulders arms.

A short ball now, outside off, Bavuma looks to pull but the ball comes slowly off the surface. Hence, he gets a bottom edge which rockets past the leg stump towards fine leg. Bavuma is hobbling across for the single so Josh Hazlewood at fine leg has all the time in the world to jog across towards the ball.

Full and straight, pushed towards mid on.

Full on middle, Aiden Markram flicks it to the right of mid on and takes a single.

Fuller on off, Temba Bavuma defends it solidly off the front foot to mid off.

FOUR! Nice timing on that one! On a length sliding on leg, Temba Bavuma flicks it along the ground towards the deep square leg region for four. Save that hammy. Don't run. 100 UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA. 182 more needed.

Landed outside off, left alone.

Oh... testing that hamstring? Full and straight, Bavuma taps it towards mid on and calls for a quick single. He is literally limping and hobbles across to the other end. Mid on gets across but fumbles while trying to pick up and throw the ball. He is surely a team player, Bavuma, as he does not want Markram to get bogged down under pressure if they cannot take quick singles.

Around off, Markram looks to defend but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads.

Good length, on off, punched to the point region.

Good length, slightly outside off, punched off the back foot from the crease.

FIFTY for Markram! What an occasion he has chosen to score this! Length ball, angling on middle, Aiden Markram knocks this towards the mid on region for a quick single. A knock of quality from Markram under pressure.

Length ball, outside off, Bavuma leaves it alone.

Fuller and just around off, Bavuma drives it straight to cover.

A bit too full, outside off, Temba Bavuma keeps it out to the off side.

Starc keeps charging from around the wickets and angles this on the stumps, into the batter. Temba Bavuma plays a firm frontfoot block.

Fuller delivery, outside off, Temba Bavuma drives this off the inner half of the bat to cover. That seems to have kept marginally low.

Fuller and angling to the off stump. Temba Bavuma prods forward and drives this through cover for a single. Hobbles to the other end, more than running comfortably.

Short of a good length, outside off. Aiden Markram cuts it behind square to deep backward point for a single.

Good length, around middle and leg. Temba Bavuma tucks this with soft hands and gets a single at deep square leg.

Aims the sticks, does Starc, full in length. Aiden Markram flicks this through mid-wicket for a single. TEA ON DAY 3, SOUTH AFRICA 94/2, NEED ANOTHER 188.

Nice and full, around off. Aiden Markram blocks this off the front foot to point.

On middle and drifting towards off, on a length. Aiden Markram rocks back and punches this straight back to the bowler.

Slides this across off on a length. Markram knocks this across and Marnus Labuschagne makes a good diving stop to his left.

Touch full with some extra bounce, on the stumps. Defended out.

Now this one keeps a bit low, in front of middle, full in length. Aiden Markram, rather than playing this full ball on the front foot, goes back and across, and defends it off the toe end of the bat.

Length, sliding outside off, punched to short cover by Markram.

Slants it into the batter, does Starc, full and on middle. Aiden Markram flicks this off the inner half of the bat, but through mid-wicket and mid on. The two fielders from the inner ring are after it and the ball is chased by one of them yards before the ropes. Two taken by the batters in the meantime.

Good length, outside off, Aiden Markram cuts this past backward point for a single.

Good running! Back of a length, angled at the top of middle. Temba Bavuma hops on the back foot and tucks this wide of square leg. Travis Head charges towards the ball to his left, but Bavuma is quick to complete the single.

Cannoned at the stumps, full in length, blocked off watchfully by Markram.

This is pitched wide of off, fuller in length. Aiden Markram expands his arms, gets low and slashes this to deep backward point. One run taken.

Nagging length, slanting on the middle and leg stumps. Temba Bavuma brings the bat straight down and pushes it to short mid-wicket. South Africa need another 192 runs, and Australia need 8 wickets to win the finale.

A slip in place and a short mid on, just beside the strip as well. Length ball on the stumps. Aiden Markram turns this to deep square leg for an easy single.

Oh, this one stays low on a good length, on middle. Well negotiated by Bavuma as he tucks this across to short mid-wicket.

Floated fuller and just outside off, Temba Bavuma leans to drive through covers, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball rolls behind to the deep third region. Three taken.

Turns in off the deck, on a length, around off. Markram punches this back to the bowler.

Flighted on a length, drifting on the leg stump. Aiden Markram steers this to the square leg region for a quick single.

Not too full, not too short, turning in around off, tucked across to short mid-wicket.

From round the wicket, full and well outside off, Aiden Markram goes for a booming square drive as he takes the bottom hand of his bat. The ball takes the outer part of his bat, and flies wide of deep point, who runs to his left and cuts it off near the boundary. Single taken.

Edged and dropped! The problems for the slip cordon continue. Many of the balls have landed short of the slip cordon and because of which, the slip fielders are standing a foot ahead. But that is what results in a drop catch now as the edge flew very quickly to Steve Smith who barely had time to react. The key point worth noting here, is the bounce. That one reared off a length, as Mitchell Starc angled this one in from round the wicket, on middle. Temba Bavuma was in no position to play that and ended up trying to fend it, getting an outside edge that flew to first slip, who was standing just 14 meters ahead of the normal standing position. Smith catches it, but the ball rebounds off his chest and drops down as Smith cannot take it on the rebound.

Full and on off, Temba Bavuma drives it off the front foot, it is more of a check drive. The ball goes along the ground to deep extra cover. Single taken.

On a length, around off, Aiden Markram watches it closely and pushes the ball behind point for a single.

On a good length, outside off, Temba Bavuma waits for the ball to arrive and dabs it behind point. Plenty of time to return for the second.

Back of a length, outside off, from around the wicket, Bavuma pushes it towards cover. Eventful over.

Short, quick and just outside off, Aiden Markram cuts it off the back foot, wide of backward point. Usman Khawaja at backward point puts on the chase and cuts it off two-three yards inside the boundary line. Batters complete three runs.

Tossed up on off, Temba Bavuma lunges forward and defends it off the front foot.

Another flighted delivery, on off. Temba Bavuma again prods forward and blocks it under his eyes.

Ooohh... thrown up wide outside off, Temba Bavuma looks to hit the cover of the ball through cover but ends up dragging it, JUST past the stumps. Markram takes off for the single but Bavuma is ball watching and is late by the time he realizes where the ball had gone. Sends his partner back.

Outside off, much fuller, watchfully defended.

Shortish, around off, Bavuma stays back to block.

Full and on middle, Aiden Markram flicks it to mid on. Mitchell Starc looking for the magic ball, possibly. But that one didn't swing.

On a length on leg, Aiden Markram works it behind square towards deep fine leg for a single.

Full and just outside off, Wiaan Mulder plays the off drive off the front foot, straight to mid off.

OUT! CAUGHT! That is a soft dismissal and out of nowhere, Australia get a wicket. Cummins did get Starc back on for a wicket but this is certainly not one of his wicket-taking deliveries. Not quite sure how are batters affected by delays but this is one of those occasions. There was a long gap between the third and fourth deliveries as Mulder was getting the sightscreen adjusted with Starc changing his angle to round the wicket. Maybe, that little break affected his concentration. A genuine half volley, outside off, Mulder leans and looks to drive on the up. Now, the only justification for Mulder, for not keeping that down could be that the ball came really slow off the surface. Hence, he was not in total control and ended up chipping it straight to Marnus Labuschagne at cover. Mulder just stands there in disappointment, or more in shock. The ball was there to drive, the shot was played, but it was about playing a second early or late. It is not his mistake when you look at the replays but when you look at it live, it is a very soft dismissal. The 61-run stand is broken and Mulder trudges off for 27. South Africa are 70/2 and need another 212 runs.

On a length, outside off, defended towards point.

Whoa, my word! Is this a reminder to the Aussies of how Sam Konstas treated Jasprit Bumrah at the MCG? A length ball, outside off, it is just his second ball but Bavuma goes hard at this one and carves it over cover. He miscues it, but luckily for him, has enough on it to clear the infield. Two runs taken as the fielders mop it up.

From round the wicket, a touch short, off break on middle, Aiden Markram works it off the back foot to short mid-wicket.

Short and turning in a bit, on middle, Aiden Markram makes some room as he moves away and punches it off the back foot through covers. Two runs taken.

From over the wicket, tossed up delivery on off, Aiden Markram hangs back as he punches this down the ground to long on for a single.

Short and quick outside off, 92 kph, Wiaan Mulder stays back and punches it towards cover.

Flatter, around off, Mulder punches it straight back. Lyon dives to his right and collides with Markram. Immediately apologizes to the non-striker.

Quicker and darted in, nudged towards short mid-wicket.

Nearly a soft dismissal! On a length, on the middle stump line, Aiden Markram flicks it uppishly and it nearly carries to the fielder at short mid-wicket! The slip cordon has less density now with just two men manning that area.

That stayed low! On a length, outside off, Markram looks to play that from the back foot but the ball shoots low and lands nearly a foot in front of the keeper. Did not miss the off stump by much.

Too straight, clipped through mid-wicket for a couple. Markram moves to 31 (40).

A short ball, around off, punched towards mid on.

Fuller in length now, defended solidly.

On a length, outside off, tucked through mid-wicket for a run.

Length, on off, punched off the back foot to short cover by Aiden.

A bit too full, floated on middle, Aiden Markram pushes this down to long on for a single. This brings the 50-run stand between Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder.

FOUR! Right out of the coach's manual! Too full and outside off, Wiaan Mulder leans on it and creams the cover drive for a boundary.

Slows it up through the air, on middle. Mulder defends this full ball.

Around the stumps now. Slides the ball across the batter, on a length. Wiaan Mulder rocks back and knocks it onto the surface.

Bowled from a wider angle from around the stumps. Landed on a length, outside off, this is steered off the back foot to square leg.

Hard length, outside off, jagging back in. Aiden Markram firmly punches this off the back foot. Hares back for the second as the ball trickles towards deep backward point.

EDGED AND FOUR! Just past the first slip and the keeper. That area has been really annoying for both sides in this Test as on so many occasions, the ball has just not carried all the way through. Just around off, nibbling away from the batter on a length. Aiden Markram tries to punch this to the off side, but gets a thick healthy outside edge. However, luckily for him, the ball does not carry to the keeper, Alex Carey, and dips low between the first slip where Usman Khawaja is stationed, and the keeper. Carey dives to his right but does not lay any hand on it and the ball trickles behind to the boundary.

Nagging length, outside off, punched to the off side.

Good length, at the stumps, Aiden Markram knocks this wide of mid on for a single.

Fuller and on the stumps, Wiaan Mulder flicks this towards Sam Konstas at mid-wicket.

Skids through the deck, on a length, at off. Wiaan Mulder blocks it solidly off the front foot.

Nice and full. tossed up around off, Wiaan Mulder defends it on the front foot.

FIFTY UP FOR SOUTH AFRICA! In just 12.2 overs! Slower through the air, full and on off, Wiaan Mulder leans on it and eases it out to the cover region for a quick single.

Pulls the length back, drifting onto the pads, Aiden Markram hangs back and tucks it to backward square leg.

Flat and quick, on a length, spinning into the batter. Punched by Markram back to the bowler.

Gives some revolutions to the ball now, does Lyon, full and outside off. Aiden Markram works this gently past mid on for a single.

On the stumps, full and flat, 92 kph, Wiaan Mulder gets right behind the line to defend it out.

Back of a length, just around off. Aiden Markram gets on the back foot and punches this straight back to the bowler.

Much closer to the stumps, nagging length. Aiden Markram responds again with that backfoot block.

Goes fuller, does Patrick, aiming the off peg. Aiden Markram presses forward and solidly defends it out.

Whoa, had to really hurry there! Full from Cummins, around off. Aiden Markram drives this wide of mid off and sets off for a single straightaway. A clean work there from Nathan Lyon as he swiftly moves to his left, picks the ball and releases it instantly at the bowling end. The skates are on for Markram as Lyon misses to score a direct hit. The batter drags the bat to get home.

Length ball, on the pads. Wiaan Mulder misses to tuck it across and the ball rolls off the thigh pad to the square leg region. They get a leg bye.

Length, outside off, dabbed late by Markram to the gully region.

Starts off with a length ball, does 'Garry', on off, and staying a tad low. Wiaan Mulder rocks back and stabs it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, fuller and just around off. Wiaan Mulder leans on with a huge stride to block it.

Drags the length back now, does Lyon, on middle. Wiaan Mulder steers this to the square leg region.

BEAUTY! How, has that missed the off stump? Touch full and spins sharply back into the batter from around off. Wiaan Mulder gets forward to play a casual on drive, with the spin, but plays this over the wrong line. The ball goes close to the inside edge and passes scaringly past the off stump.

On a length, around off, punched off the back foot to mid-wicket.

Shortish on off, Wiaan Mulder eases it back to the bowler. And finally, Australia have their first maiden of the 4th innings, in the 11th over.

Length ball on middle, Aiden Markram plays the flick along the ground to deep square leg for a single.

Length ball that seams in and stays a touch low, Wiaan Mulder does well to defend it.

Full on off, Wiaan Mulder defends it off the front foot to short cover.

On a length, outside off, Wiaan Mulder watches the ball closely and pushes it towards point.

A bit too straight, Mulder works this through square leg for a single.

Full and just outside off, Aiden Markram exhibits a solid front foot defense.

Back of a length, on middle, Wiaan Mulder blocks it off the back foot to mid on.

Full on middle, Wiaan Mulder now defends it off the front foot to mid on.

Overpitched on off, Wiaan Mulder eases the drive to short cover.

FOUR! SMOKED! Terrific shot from Wiaan Mulder but not the best piece of fielding by Travis Head. A short ball, barely rises to chest height, Mulder picks the length in a trice and pulls it all along the ground through square leg. Head starts to run to his right but at the time of putting in a dive, does not put the dive and the ball meets the fence. 237 more needed.

On a length, around off, pushed towards mid on.

Back of a length, outside off, Mulder lets it through.

A touch fuller, Aiden Markram didn't expect it to be that full and hence he didn't commit on the front foot and ends up defending it off the crease. 

Length ball on off, Aiden Markram blocks it off the front foot, to the left of short cover.

Length ball swinging in a touch, on middle and off, Aiden Markram is almost undone by the movement as he somehow gets an inside edge on it, and the ball crashes into his pads before going into the ground.

Full, outside off, Aiden Markram gets a long way forward to defend the ball towards cover.

On a length, outside off, Markram opens the face of his bat and guides it behind point. Nathan Lyon jogs across to his left at the sweeper cover boundary to keep the batters to a couple.

Full and straight, 135 kph, Aiden defends. Believe it or not, this is the most frugal over of the run chase.

On a length, on off, Aiden Markram defends it off the crease into the off side and calls for one straightaway. The gully fielder came running at the ball, but in the end the batters comfortably complete the single.

Good length, seaming into the right hander, on middle and off, Wiaan Mulder defends it into the leg side.

Good length again, on off, Wiaan Mulder uncomfortably defends it off the crease. That ball straightened a bit after pitching, and hence Wiaan Mulder was uncomfortable defending it.

A bit too straight, Wiaan Mulder leans and clips it through square leg. The immediate call is for two and the batters run extremely well to make it. This has been a fabulous start by South Africa on all accounts. Not only have they lost just the solitary wicket, they are going at 5 an over. Not even a single maiden!

Fuller, outside off, Mulder comes forward to defend but the ball pitches and then moves away off the seam, to beat the outside edge.

FOUR! Another fine stroke! On a length, outside off, Wiaan Mulder stands tall and upright and punches this past a diving point, to his right, for his third boundary! This stand is racing along at 30 (29)!

On a length, swinging into the right hander on off, Wiaan Mulder blocks it off the front foot.

Length ball, that shapes away slightly, well outside off, Wiaan Mulder leaves it alone.

On a length, angling into the right hander, on middle, Wiaan Mulder looks to flick it and misses, as the ball hits him near the stomach area. That would have hurt.

On a length, just outside off, Wiaan Mulder defends it towards cover.

FOUR! SMASH! A rare bad ball from Josh Hazlewood, short and wide outside off, too good an opportunity to miss against the new ball. Mulder stands tall and crashes it to the left of point for his second boundary.

Full and around off, Wiaan is solid in defense.

Good length, on the leg stump line. Wiaan Mulder nudges this to the square leg region and pinches a quick single.

FOUR! Markram is on the charge! A bit too full from Starc, across off, angling away. Aiden Markram pounces on the length and width offered, leans on the ball and cracks the cover drive for a boundary.

Shapes into the batter from middle, on a length. Aiden Markram gets right behind it and keeps it out to short cover.

Going across off on a length, Aiden Markram plays it late and dabs the ball to the gully fielder.

FOUR! Placed perfectly into the gap! Hits the deck hard, does Starc, with a slight inward curve onto the pads. Aiden Markram hops on the back foot and clips this past square leg for a boundary. A lovely display of wristwork there.

Angling across off on a good length. Aiden Markram decides to shoulder arms. Two boundaries from this over, 9 overall coming off it.

Nagging length, with a bit of nip back in from off. Wiaan Mulder tucks it to mid-wicket.

Good length, angled at the pads, Wiaan Mulder steers it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Exquisite! Short of a good length from Hoff, outside off, Aiden Markram sees the ball closely, rocks back and punches through the cover region for a boundary.

BEATEN! A superb response from 'The Hoff'! Just holds the line of the off stump, on a hard length, and the ball straightens a bit off the deck as well, with possibly some extra bounce. Aiden Markram gets a bit flummoxed by that, as he brings his bat in front to block. Plays inside the line and the ball whispers past the outside edge. Perfectly crafted nut from Hazlewood.

Length ball, on the stumps, Aiden Markram blocks this out.

Short of a length, on off, punched off the back foot to the cover region.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Australia get their first breakthrough and Starc, first frustrated the Proteas with the bat, has now drawn the first blood with the ball. Mitchell Starc bowls this full and gets an away shape from outside off. Ryan Rickelton tries to squeeze the ball through the off side, but it is a bit too full and hence, he does not lay the bat properly on it. The ball passes close to the bat and Alex Carey does the rest behind the wickets, with a dive to his left. EDGED? Or did the ball bounce off the bat? This is the question. However, the Aussies are celebrating in unison but there is no reaction by the umpire. Ryan Rickelton is not going anywhere. And the third umpire is summoned to check whether it is a bump ball. The first replay shows the ball bouncing before the bat. Next, the UltraEdge comes up and shows a clean spike when the ball is next to the outside edge. So, it is not a bump ball and is a clean catch. South Africa are 9/1 as Ryan Rickelton departs quite early.

Full, on the stumps, Mulder pushes it straight back to Starc.

Angled across the right hander, outside off, on a hard length. Wiaan lets it through.

FOUR! That's desperately played and placed! Back of a length, across off, Wiaan Mulder plays it late. Dabs the ball between the gully and the diving third slip fielder. The ball races away to the deep third fence for four.

Fuller and on off, pushed wide of cover.

Hard length, on middle and leg. Wiaan Mulder keeps it out and taps it to the cover region, for a quick single. A successful over for Starc and Australia, nonetheless.

Across the batter, and fuller, around off. Ryan Rickelton makes the leave.

EDGED, SHORT! Full, outside off, Ryan Rickelton goes for the drive through the off side, but gets a thick healthy outside edge. The ball just doesn't get to the slip fielder. Beau Webster gets a bit of hand on the ball on his dive at second slip, and the ball rolls behind. Steve Smith from first slip chases it away as the ball slows down. A single taken.

Nagging length, on the stumps, worked to the mid on region.

Straight and full, on off, Aiden Markram respects this and blocks it out.

Keeps the line of attack on the off stump, does Josh Hazlewood, on a hard length. Aiden Markram weighs on the back foot and punches through the cover-point region for two runs.

Nice and full this time around, aimed at the stumps. Aiden Markram presses forward and defends it right under his eyes.

Markram and South Africa are underway in the chase. Starc begins from over the stumps, gets a bit of inward shape on middle, on a length. Aiden Markram stays leg side of the ball and taps it in front of mid off for a single.

Bangs the ball hard onto the surface, does Starc, on middle. Ryan Rickelton hops a bit across and knocks the ball on the pitch.

This one curves away a bit on and around off, on a length. Ryan Rickelton prods forward and blocks it out.

FOUR! Intent straightaway from Ryan Rickelton as he gets off the mark! A bit of a loosener from Starc, pushing it to the leg stump line, full in length. Ryan Rickelton flicks this through the square leg region for a boundary.

Sprays this further down the leg stump now, Ryan lets it pass.

Back of a length, on the top of off, Ryan Rickelton gets on the back foot and works this to the mid off region for a quick single.