Australia’s assistant coach Daniel Vettori reminded everyone that the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s isn’t done yet, even with South Africa just 69 runs away from winning their first ICC title. He reckons one breakthrough could get Australia back in the game.
At the press conference after Day 3, he acknowledged the pressure but trusted his bowlers to go for an early wicket on Day 4. “We’ll take it one step at a time. It’s just about getting that first wicket. If we can bring a new batsman in, it changes everything. We’re not thinking about getting all eight wickets at once, just focusing on getting that first one and going from there,” Vettori said.
What looked like an easy win for Australia after a brilliant 10th wicket partnership between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood that set a tough target of 282, has turned into a thriller.
South Africa started shaky with Ryan Rickelton getting out early and even though Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder put together a 59 run partnership, Starc struck again. Many thought Australia was in control but Temba Bavuma and Markram had other plans.
Bavuma came in at No. 4 and got a second chance when Steve Smith dropped him at 2. Unfortunately Smith hurt his finger and might miss the rest of the match. Things got intense when Bavuma seemed to hurt his hamstring in the 24th over but kept pushing through the pain to score a half century off 82 balls, got applause from the crowd.
Markram needed to bounce back after a duck in the first innings and played a great innings, getting a century. Together they have put together an unbroken 143 run stand and are closing in on the finish line. Vettori said Australia might be on the ropes but they are still in the fight. An early wicket on Day 4 could turn it around.
South Africa need 69 runs and Australia need 8 wickets. As Vettori said, in finals it only takes one moment to change everything.
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