'It's been outstanding batting performance': Graeme Smith hails South African batters in WTC Final

Former South African cricket captain Graeme Smith praised his team's batting performance against Australia at Lord's as they moved closer to winning their first ICC trophy in 27 years. With just 69 runs needed for victory in the World Test Championship final, South Africa's Aiden Markram (102 not out) and Temba Bavuma (65 not out) will resume their 143-run partnership on Day 4.The match saw dramatic shifts in momentum over the first two days with bowlers dominating and claiming 28 wickets. South Africa's bowling unit helped finish Australia's innings during what was considered the best batting period of the Test.

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"We've seen such ups and downs, ebbs and flows in this Test match. The game going back and forth, and South Africa fighting back from 75 behind in the first innings, bowling well, getting themselves back in the game.

It's been an outstanding batting performance. I think your instinct always tends to lie when you've seen the pitch play a certain way for the first two days, your instincts are always going to back that Australian pace attack on that surface," Smith said while speaking to ICC's Digital Daily.

Smith noted that the pitch appeared to lose its life on the third day, though South Africa had to work hard for their two wickets. He highlighted the crucial partnership between Markram and Bavuma that brought them close to victory.

Markram's century was the highlight of Day 3, with both batsmen appearing composed despite the pressure of playing in a World Test Championship Final at Lord's.Quiz: Who's that IPL player?"I actually picked him at the start of this innings. I said, 'If South Africa are going to go on to do this, he's the man' because he scores. He takes the game on, and you'll keep the scoreboard ticking all the time. And he's certainly done that today. It's an occasion like this to see him own it and to perform.

Coming off a nought in the first innings, coming out second innings under pressure," Smith stated.The former captain was particularly impressed with Markram's performance, especially considering his duck in the first innings. He emphasized how Markram looked confident from the start of his innings."The performance that he put in, (it) was incredible to watch right from the get-go. He looked at good positions. He had one punch of the back foot. You thought, 'Okay, the man's here today.' Him and Temba will be feeling drained tonight. They still have got 69 to get. But I think tonight it's important to celebrate a great partnership and an incredible hundred," Smith concluded.The third-wicket partnership between Markram and Bavuma has put South Africa in a strong position to secure their first ICC trophy since 1996.