Key events
Preamble
Geoff Lemon
Hello for the final time from Lord’s for this World Test Championship final. Yes, it’s only Day 3, but surely, surely, this Test finishes today.
The sun is shining bright and the forecast is the best for the week. Australia have only Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood to bat, in a match where wickets have fallen readily. They lead by 218 right now. So unless there is an extraordinary partnership, South Africa will either chase the runs today or be bowled out trying.
On the evidence of their first innings, “bowled out trying” is the likelier option. They were all out for 138 and looked nowhere against Australia’s pace quality. But they have the chance to do better, to say that they are here and ready to compete. It’s only the third day, after all! Good for batting.
But first, they need those last two wickets. They dropped Starc in the cordon last night, just before stumps. Can’t be doing that. For Australia, sneaking another 10, 20, 30 runs for the final two wickets could make all the difference.
Get set.
