The heat is on in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025. Australia’s bowling coach Daniel Vettori is expressing a sense of urgency. The task ahead is stark and challenging: break South Africa’s solid third-wicket stand between Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. After Day 3 at Lord’s, it’s clear that Australia trails by just 69 runs but has only claimed two wickets so far. The South African team is slowly but surely marching towards a historic test title.
Vettori understands that to turn the tide, the early breakthroughs are crucial. He shared this insight during a post-match discussion, stating, “We understand the main task, 8/70 is incredibly tricky.” The odds may not be in their favor, as he acknowledged the tough conditions they are facing. The ball will need to swing their way for any chance of a comeback.
Australia started off with a slim lead at 70/2 during the second session on Friday. But then Markram and Bavuma seized the momentum and showcased remarkable skill and composure. Together, they forged a 143-run partnership, which now casts a long shadow over Australia’s hopes. That’s quite a formidable stand at this stage of the game.
Vettori pointed out the impact of the conditions on the match. “The wicket is slow,” he explained. Over the game’s course, scoring boundaries seemed lower than what players might typically expect at Lord’s. While the conditions were tough, South Africa made the most of those opportunities, propelling themselves to a promising position.
The partnership between Markram and Bavuma was nothing short of exceptional. Vettori praised their navigation through tricky moments, adding, “They managed to put pressure back on us, through their running, their ability to dissect the field. It was a real clinic from those two.” Their performance certainly rattled the Australian side, leaving them scrambling for answers.
Looking back, Vettori drew inspiration from Australia’s previous comebacks, recalling instances like the Edgbaston Ashes Test and a nail-biting match against Afghanistan in the 2023 World Cup. These memories serve to remind the Australian squad that resilience is key. “It is a task the group has probably done at times throughout the last three or four, and for some of them, even longer six or seven years,” he noted, reflecting on their grit in past tournaments.
In terms of strategy, Vettori leaned towards cautiousness when discussing bowling variations. “There is sometimes an appetite for that,” he remarked, referring to more aggressive tactics. Yet there’s the ever-looming concern of allowing the score to spiral out of control. It turns out, sticking to their game plan proved difficult as wickets continued to elude them.
While South Africa has a history of facing heartbreak in ICC tournaments, Vettori chose to downplay the significance of their past. He affirmed, “It is always difficult to label or tag teams, because teams change.” He pointed out that it is hard to attribute past failures to the current group, especially in a high-stakes match like this one.
As Day 4 approaches, hope still flickers for Australia. Vettori remains optimistic, noting, “I think the hope for us is that we get a wicket or two in the morning, and then see what it looks like.” The main challenge is clear, and with the end in sight, fans are on the edge of their seats. Can Australia secure those early wickets and push back against South Africa’s charge for glory? The final day promises an exhilarating contest. All eyes will be on Lord’s as the game unfolds, with Australia banking on early breakthroughs to deny South Africa the silverware they have long coveted.
