Aiden Markram’s eighth test century (102*) and his unbroken partnership of 143 with captain Temba Bavuma (65*) at Lord’s on Friday led South Africa to 213-2 in pursuit of 282 to beat Australia and become test Champions of the world with ‘just’ another 69-runs required on the fourth morning.
“History beckons, but it’s business as usual tomorrow,” cautioned assistant coach Ashwell Prince.
“There was great joy in the change room for Aiden’s hundred and the partnership with Temba is right up there in the history of South African cricket, but the job is not yet done,” Prince said.
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On a day of deep emotions it was the spectators and their support for South Africa which stood out to many of the players: “As batters you’re pretty zoned in and focused on what you’re doing at the crease but it would have been impossible not to hear them chanting the names of Aiden and Temba, it was amazing to see and hear that.
“There were so many South Africans here but I think the locals and neutrals were also cheering for us, given the history between England and Australia and the fact that there was a bit of beef between them in the Ashes test at this ground a couple of years ago,” Prince said with a smile.
Bavuma’s strained hamstring shortly before tea when he had scored just seven runs left Prince and the medical team a difficult decision to make, a call which Bavuma was, obviously, also involved in.
“We had a big call to make at tea because we weren’t just worried about Temba but the effect it might have on Aiden and disrupting his rhythm if they weren’t able to run the twos and even some quick singles. But it was obviously the right decision, it worked out, didn’t it?” Prince said.
“Their partnership was right up there in the history of South African test cricket, especially if we get the job done. It will be massive, not just for the team but for the whole country and what we are trying to achieve in test cricket.
“History beckons, yes, but the guys must stick to their processes and routines before play – good nights sleep, warm-ups and them a bit more of the same on the field,” Prince said.
Wiaan Mulder, meanwhile, confirmed that there had been a clear and conscious change of approach in the second innings compared to the first when the Proteas meandered to 138 all out in 57 overs.
“We had to go for it, whatever the target was, so that freed us up. And there was a lot less fear of failure. We basically looked to score every ball rather than defend.”
Mulder, who limped to six runs from 44 balls in the first innings, added a bustling 27 from 50 during a second-wicket stand of 61 with Markram of which he could be proud.
“They're going to bowl you good balls, you have to punish the bad ones. No 3 is new for me, but I hope that if I bat with intent I can get a lot more runs.”
Mulder had nothing but praise for the partnership which followed his dismissal: “Those guys have been through a lot of adversity in the last couple of years, you could see they were pushing themselves out there, two people who put South African cricket first.”