South Africa is one step away from ending a 27-year-long ICC trophy drought but the job isn’t over just yet. After a brilliant fightback on Day 3 of the World Test Championship final at Lord’s, the Proteas are within touching distance of victory.
Still, Dale Steyn had a word of caution. He believes the remaining 69 runs will be the toughest challenge they’ve faced so far.
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Why does Steyn think these 69 runs won't come easy?
Speaking after stumps on Day 3, Steyn praised the drama of Test cricket and said that while the number might look small, the challenge is anything but. Australia, he warned, would come out firing with everything they've got.
"The roller coaster of Test match cricket means that we'll come back tomorrow and there's still 69 runs to get. Now, it seems easy, but Australia are not going to lay back and give up this fight just yet," Steyn shared with the broadcaster.
He added that if South Africa pulls it off, it will be one of their most meaningful wins ever, "That's going to be 69 of the hardest runs that the South Africans will have to fight for tomorrow. And if they manage to get it, I mean, it will be a fantastic achievement,"
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What helped South Africa dominate Day 3?
South Africa’s strong position is largely thanks to Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. Markram played a composed knock, reaching a hundred off 155 deliveries, while Bavuma, despite dealing with cramps, scored a gutsy 65.
Their unbroken stand pushed the Proteas to 213/2 and have put South Africa on top, but only just. Saturday’s forecast doesn’t look great. Rain is expected, which could change things fast.
If cloud cover appears, swing and seam movement might return, exactly what bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc will be praying for.
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Steyn mentioned this too, saying Day 3 saw the pitch flatten under the sun, but Day 4 could bring totally different conditions. As Steyn put it, these could very well be “the hardest 69 runs” South Africa has ever faced.