Prince says Bavuma set for 'defining moment' as South Africa eye WTC final triumph
Aiden Markram led the way with an unbeaten century but the opener received superb support from the hobbling Bavuma, 65 not out despite suffering a hamstring strain early in his innings.
Their unbroken stand of 143 guided South Africa to 213-2 against Australia at the close of Friday's third day, with the Proteas now needing just 69 more runs to reach a victory target of 282.
"It was a big call because of how it could affect Temba's stroke-play and Aiden's rhythm, but both were adamant that he must continue," said Prince of the decision to let Bavuma bat on rather than retire hurt.
Bavuma has faced more than the usual amount of scrutiny after his 2014 debut meant he become the first black African batsman to represent the Proteas in Test cricket.
But Prince said the 35-year-old had shown his leadership qualities by battling on through the pain barrier on Friday.
"Temba has had to fight throughout his career but this could be his defining moment."
Prince, himself a former South Africa batsman, added team management always had faith in the ability of the stylish Markram, out for a duck in the first innings.
"He's someone for the big occasion," he said. "We know what he's capable of."
'Not done yet'
South Africa have suffered decades of disappointment in one-day international and T20 World Cups. But they are now in sight of winning a first major final since triumphing at the 1998 ICC Knockout, the forerunner of the Champions Trophy.
"For us, the most important thing is to stay in the moment," insisted Prince. "It's not done yet."
Earlier, South Africa struggled to take Australia's final wicket as the WTC title-holders built what seemed a significant lead.
But Prince said South Africa took some comfort from the way Mitchell Starc (58 not out) and Josh Hazlewood (17) held firm until shortly before lunch on Friday on an increasingly good surface for batting compared to the one where 28 wickets fell on the first two days.
"It was frustrating but we thought it might be something in our favour if their numbers nine, 10 and 11 could look pretty comfortable," said Prince.
Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori said Markram had been "exceptional" on Friday, although the former New Zealand captain noted how conditions had changed markedly in northwest London as the sun beat down.
"The wicket was pretty benign. The wicket is slow and the bounce is lower than we expected from previous matches here," said Vettori.
"It has been difficult for scoring but South Africa made the most of the conditions and put the pressure back on us with critical partnerships, their running and their ability to dissect the field.
"The hope for us is we that can get a wicket or two in the morning and see what it looks like but (taking) eight (wickets) for 70 is a real challenge."
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France 24
3 hours ago
- France 24
Markram the hero as South Africa win WTC final to end long wait for cricket glory
South Africa, set 282 to win, finished on 282-5 before lunch on the fourth day, with opening batsman Markram falling for 136 after taking South Africa to within six runs of the title. The Proteas resumed on 213-2, needing just 69 more runs for victory. Markram, dismissed for a duck in the first innings, was 102 not out and South Africa captain Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 65 despite spending most of his innings limping with a hamstring injury. South Africa have such a long history of folding under pressure that could not take anything for granted against serial winners and defending WTC title-holders Australia. In 18 previous attempts in the one-day international and T20 World Cups, South Africa had only reached a solitary final. That was in last year's T20 World Cup in Barbados, when they lost to India despite needing just 30 runs from their last 30 balls, with six wickets standing. But South Africa, so often labelled "chokers" for their failure to close out knockout games, held their nerve on Saturday as a largely unheralded side succeeded where star players such as Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis had failed. Setback South Africa did suffer a setback early on Saturday when Bavuma, who had added just one run to his overnight score, was caught behind off Australia captain Pat Cummins to end a partnership of 147 with Markram. Nevertheless, at 217-3, with the sunny blue skies above Lord's creating good batting conditions on an increasingly placid pitch, South Africa were still well-placed. Markram then cut fast bowler Cummins for a resounding four to the delight of what was effectively a 'home' crowd given the large number of South Africa fans who had packed into Lord's on what was always going to be a short day's play. He then got the target down to 50 by pulling Cummins for another four. Cummins then brought on Nathan Lyon in the hope that the off-spinner could find the significant turn that had helped him on Friday. It was left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc, however, who raised Australia's hopes by bowling Tristan Stubbs for eight with a superb delivery that cut back sharply. Australia, in one last desperate ploy after using up all three of their review, took the new ball with South Africa just needing 14 more runs to win at 268-4. But Markram drove the first delivery with the new ball, from Josh Hazlewood, for four, and the next one for three. He was unable to finish the job, however, a pull off Hazlewood brilliantly caught by Travis Head at midwicket to end a 207-ball innings featuring 14 fours. A disbelieving Markram walked slowly back to the Pavilion, with several Australia players running to shake his hand as he received a standing ovation. It was left to Kyle Verreynne, who might have been out caught had Australia had any reviews left, to hit the winning run as South Africa completed the second-highest chase to win a Test at Lord's, behind the West Indies' 344-1, requiring 342, against England in 1984. This Test was also a personal triumph for South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who finished with match figures of 9-110.
France 24
20 hours ago
- France 24
Prince says Bavuma set for 'defining moment' as South Africa eye WTC final triumph
Aiden Markram led the way with an unbeaten century but the opener received superb support from the hobbling Bavuma, 65 not out despite suffering a hamstring strain early in his innings. Their unbroken stand of 143 guided South Africa to 213-2 against Australia at the close of Friday's third day, with the Proteas now needing just 69 more runs to reach a victory target of 282. "It was a big call because of how it could affect Temba's stroke-play and Aiden's rhythm, but both were adamant that he must continue," said Prince of the decision to let Bavuma bat on rather than retire hurt. Bavuma has faced more than the usual amount of scrutiny after his 2014 debut meant he become the first black African batsman to represent the Proteas in Test cricket. But Prince said the 35-year-old had shown his leadership qualities by battling on through the pain barrier on Friday. "Temba has had to fight throughout his career but this could be his defining moment." Prince, himself a former South Africa batsman, added team management always had faith in the ability of the stylish Markram, out for a duck in the first innings. "He's someone for the big occasion," he said. "We know what he's capable of." 'Not done yet' South Africa have suffered decades of disappointment in one-day international and T20 World Cups. But they are now in sight of winning a first major final since triumphing at the 1998 ICC Knockout, the forerunner of the Champions Trophy. "For us, the most important thing is to stay in the moment," insisted Prince. "It's not done yet." Earlier, South Africa struggled to take Australia's final wicket as the WTC title-holders built what seemed a significant lead. But Prince said South Africa took some comfort from the way Mitchell Starc (58 not out) and Josh Hazlewood (17) held firm until shortly before lunch on Friday on an increasingly good surface for batting compared to the one where 28 wickets fell on the first two days. "It was frustrating but we thought it might be something in our favour if their numbers nine, 10 and 11 could look pretty comfortable," said Prince. Australia assistant coach Daniel Vettori said Markram had been "exceptional" on Friday, although the former New Zealand captain noted how conditions had changed markedly in northwest London as the sun beat down. "The wicket was pretty benign. The wicket is slow and the bounce is lower than we expected from previous matches here," said Vettori. "It has been difficult for scoring but South Africa made the most of the conditions and put the pressure back on us with critical partnerships, their running and their ability to dissect the field. "The hope for us is we that can get a wicket or two in the morning and see what it looks like but (taking) eight (wickets) for 70 is a real challenge."
France 24
a day ago
- France 24
Brilliant Markram takes South Africa to brink of WTC final glory
South Africa reached the close on the third day at Lord's on 213-2 in their second innings, needing just 69 runs to win, with eight wickets still standing. Opener Markram, dismissed for a duck in the first innings, was 102 not out and South Africa captain Temba Bavuma unbeaten on 65 despite spending most of his innings limping with a hamstring injury. The pair have shared an unbroken stand of 143 as South Africa pursue what will be, if they achieve it, the second-highest successful run chase in a Test at Lord's. The highest chase at the London ground is the 344-1, requiring 342, made by the West Indies against England in 1984. But South Africa, whose last International Cricket Council title came at the 1998 ICC Knockout, have such a long history of folding under pressure that their fans will take nothing for granted against serial winners and WTC title-holders Australia. "There was great joy in the changing room for Aiden's hundred and his partnership with Temba is right up there in the history of South African cricket, but the job is not yet done," Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince told the BBC. South Africa all-rounder Wiaan Mulder said a change in approach had been key to the team's improved batting display on Friday following a meagre 138 all out in their first innings. "We had to go for it whatever they (Australia) got," he told Sky Sports. "There was a lot less fear of failure." South Africa will be desperate to get over the line. In 18 previous attempts in the one-day international and T20 world cups, they have only reached a solitary final -- at last year's T20 World Cup in Barbados, when they fell apart within sight of victory. Starc stars Australia's Mitchell Starc had starred earlier Friday with both bat and ball to put his team in charge and seemingly on their way to victory. The tailender made 58 not out in Australia's second-innings total of 207 and then, in his main role of left-arm fast bowler, dismissed Ryan Rickelton (six) and Mulder (27) to leave the Proteas 70-2. Starc almost had a third wicket when Bavuma got a thick edge only for Steve Smith, in a helmet at an advanced slip position, to drop a fast-travelling catch and leave the field with a finger injury. But with any early moisture in the surface long gone, conditions for batting at a sun-drenched Lord's were now as good as at any time in the match. Markram, aggressive from the outset, punched and pulled Australia captain Pat Cummins for well-struck fours. With Australia appearing to miss absent former captain Smith's tactical input, Bavuma produced the occasional gem of a shot, including a glorious drive down the ground off Cummins. Australia spinner Nathan Lyon almost dismissed both batsmen, with Markram aiming a booming drive at a sharply turning off-break, only to miss the ball completely before it also beat wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Bavuma had made 43 when a slog-sweep off Lyon just evaded a diving Sam Konstas at deep midwicket as the substitute fielder attempted to pull off a low catch, only for the ball to run away for four. Soon afterwards, the diminutive Bavuma, who has a history of hamstring trouble, completed a gritty 83-ball fifty. Markram went to 97 with a brilliant straight-driven boundary off Josh Hazlewood and, shortly before stumps, clipped the fast bowler through midwicket to complete his hundred with an 11th four in 156 balls faced. South Africa enjoyed an early breakthrough at the start of the day's play when paceman Kagiso Rabada had Lyon lbw to leave Australia 148-9 in their second innings. But tailender Starc, dropped by Marco Jansen late Thursday, kept the Proteas at bay, ably assisted by Hazlewood, while making the 11th fifty of his 97-Test career. Part-time spinner Markram eventually succeeded where the frontline bowlers had failed when Hazlewood holed out to end a 59-run partnership for the last wicket.
