South Africa have been set a 282-run target to win the World Test Championship final against Australia. A 200+run target in Tests has been chased down only once since 2005 at the iconic venue. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ensured that the Aussies got to 207 runs in their 2nd innings before being bowled out.
Highest run-chases at Lord’s
The highest successfull run-chase at Lord’s came way back in 1984 when West Indies chased down a 342-run target. Apart from the Windies, England have been the only team who have achieved success in the highest run-chases at the iconic venue. The last time a 200+ target was chased down at the Lord’s was in 2022 when England defeated New Zealand by chasing down the 277-run target.
| Rank | Runs Chased | Team | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 344/1 | West Indies | England | 1984 |
| 2 | 282/3 | England | New Zealand | 2004 |
| 3 | 279/5 | England | New Zealand | 2022 |
| 4 | 218/3 | England | New Zealand | 1965 |
| 5 | 193/5 | England | West Indies | 2012 |
WTC final 2025
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood frustrated South Africa in the 1st session of play on ay 3. The duo stitched together a 59-run partnership, with Starc staying unbeaten on 58 runs off 136 deliveries. Josh Hazlewood fell at the stroke of lunch on Day 3, wrapping up Australia’s innings for 207 runs.
South Africa lost Ryan Rickleton early on in the run-chase as Starc struck. He then doubled it up by removing Wiaan Mulder in the 18th over. However, Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma ensured that Proteas were in the driver’s seat in the run-chase. Markram scored a century while Bavuma scored a half-century, helping SA finish at 213/2 on Day 3. Bavuma and co now need just 69 runs to lay their hands on the World Test Championship mace.
