A three-day finish to this contest seemed inevitable when the indefatigable Rabada trapped Lyon in front early. Yet Starc’s stubborn defiance was by no means over. And Hazelwood, as last man in, does have form as a partner. He recently shared a tenth wicket stand of 116 with Green. The two giant quicks dug in, erected flags and bunting around their wickets and dared South Africa to dislodge them. The score mounted steadily and the bowlers gritted their teeth. Another fifty partnership was raised. Starc’s own fifty followed some time after. It took Markram’s offspin to break the last defences, right on the stroke of lunch. Hazelwood’s expansive backfoot drive smelt somewhat of batting hubris.
Nevertheless it had been a brilliant comback by the Australian tail. At 7/74 the game was all but over. Yet meek surrender is not Australia’s habit. Make them fight, seemed to be the idea. Starc’s unbeaten 58 occupied well over three hours. As he limbered up to bowl one sensed that the man would leave nothing out there. Rickelton edged his away-swinger to Carey. And after a promising start Mulder failed to keep his drive down and Labuschagne pouched the chance. At 2/70 the crisis was approaching. It came when Bavuma edged to Smith, standing at close-in slip. No only did the ball burst through his fingers, it smashed his little finger in several places. Smith left in anguish, and the last chance had passed.
Thereafter Markram and Bavuma calmly picked off the runs. By stumps Markram had reached his century. Bavuma had acquired a hamstring injury; but the diminutive captain disdained the very idea of retiring hurt. The pair were masters of the wilting attack, and the very idea of letting Australia bowl to a new batsman was scorned. The sober truth is that by Day Three the pitch had flattened out into a highway. The defiant stand of Australia’s last pair had already foreshadowed this.
South Africa have a long history of fumbling the silverware at the last moment. Markram and Bavuma were having none of that. The last rites will be performed tomorrow. Captain Pat will be hoping for a miracle; but even his genius would be stretched beyond the realms of the possible. Seventy-odd needed with eight wickets in hand? Surely not!