Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA

@sparky said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:

Three hours to the start of Day Four, but recent cloud cover this morning in North London. It'll swing and seam I reckon.

You have to love modern test cricket and the fact we're 100% sure of a result in this one.

If you look at the five wicket hauls at Lord's since the late 1970s they've been overwhelming by medium fast bowlers or quick bowlers rather than spinners.

None of Warne, Muralitharan or Lyon achieved five-wickets in a Test innings at Lords.

I did wonder if the Oz tail wagging last night was a sign of good batting conditions.

Rather be in SA's shoes based on the scorecard, but an early wicket plus cloud cover could get interesting.

No cloud, but Cummins gets slight away movement to edge out Bavuma.

Cummins gets an early wicket, but the weather conditions are improving dramatically and SA only need 55 runs now.

Hazelwood really accurate this morning and bowling maiden after maiden, but no wicket yet.

Australia reviewing an on-field no LBW decision. Looks speculative.

@sparky said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:

Australia reviewing an on-field no LBW decision. Looks speculative.

Missing by a ball and a bit. A poor decision to burn a review on that one.

Markham looking very comfortable. A great batting performance.

50 runs needed. RSA in pole position. Definitely their game to lose now.

Stick a fork in them, they're done. Desperation review is always a sign that a team knows they're cooked.

Australia bringing Nathan Lyon on. Probably their last throw of the dice.

Lyon getting a bit more turn than yesterday. Australia bowling well, but not enough runs to defend with any confidence. RSA scoring slowly and nervously though.

Aussies just burned another review

@canefan said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:

Aussies just burned another review

To be fair, that one looked close.

Stubbs out. RSA four down. They need 41 runs.

And then Starc cracks it next ball

All too late, but at least semi respectable

@NTA said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:

And then Starc cracks it next ball

All too late, but at least semi respectable

Not sure, if the Aussies can get Markram out (and it looks a big if given how he is batting) then South Africa's demons and the new ball will come into play.

Gem of a ball by Starc to the new batsman.

Slow progress for South Africa this morning. Australia have played better in this first hour.

KP really is hard listening

Another desperate review

Going over IMHO

Didn't even get that far

South Africa not comfortable this morning but not collapsing either.

@NTA said in Cricket: WTC Final Oz vs SA:

KP really is hard listening

Hayden is worse

@NTA You know why he was called FIGJAM by his own team-mates?

Markram is in imperious batting form.

South Africa only need 25 runs. Nearly there.

Confidence flowing through the South Africans now. History beckons. 19 to win.

Not sure they will bother with the lunch break.

Appeal for a catch?

Not out. It bounced.

LBW shout against Markram. Not given. Australia can't review.

Umpires call anyway

South Africa about to relieve years of futility and failure

I seem to remember looking up who each team played in this WTC cycle.

Proteas didn't have more than 1 test series that was 3 matches and maybe only played India during that time of the big 3?

I could be misremembering but it says a lot about what they've been able to do here.

New ball. 14 runs needed.

Hazelwood thumped for 4.

South African fans can crack open the beers.

6 to win. Markram on strike. Will he go for it?

Travis Head takes a catch at midwicket. Markram out.