South Africa maintains its conviction in its ability to pursue a formidable target to secure victory in the World Test Championship at Lord’s, despite the contest against Australia being predominantly influenced by the bowlers.
Batter David Bedingham, who was the top scorer with 45 in South Africa’s modest first innings total of 138, conveyed the team’s confidence in their capacity to overhaul whatever target Australia establishes.
The reigning champions currently hold a 218-run advantage with two second-innings wickets still in hand and will resume play on Friday, aiming to extend their lead further to make South Africa’s task even more arduous.
“I think it’s just an amazing chance. And I think we’re all very, very excited about the opportunity to win,” Bedingham remarked following the conclusion of the second day’s play.
“Like I said, it could go either way, but I think us as a team are very, very excited and there’s a lot of belief in the dressing room.”
However, with 28 wickets falling over the initial two days, the bowlers have held the advantage, making South Africa’s prospects of an upset victory appear slender.
“I think when you have six quality seamers on a tricky pitch, it obviously makes batting tough. But I think the way the game’s going, I think the wicket has slowed down a bit. The nicks aren’t carrying,” Bedingham observed.
“So I think in the fourth innings, they’ll maybe come a bit straighter, and hopefully we can get those runs.”
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that Australia’s bowling attack, spearheaded by Pat Cummins’ six-wicket haul, proved formidable on Thursday.
“Personally, I don’t think the Australians gave us any bad balls. That’s why they’re the best in the world.”
“But hopefully, going forward, we can just counteract that and win the World Test Championship. The main thing is just to 100% commit if you are defending or attacking. I think as soon as you get caught in two minds against this attack, you get found out,” he added.
Three years prior, England successfully chased 277 against New Zealand, marking the third-highest successful run chase by a Test team at Lord’s. The West Indies pursued 342 against England in 1984, while England successfully chased 282 versus New Zealand in 2004.
The fourth-highest successful chase recorded was 218 for England against New Zealand in 1965.
