With just 69 runs needed and eight wickets in hand going into Day 4, South Africa are within touching distance of their first ICC men\u2019s trophy since 1998. At stumps on Day 3, they stood at 213\/2 thanks to a masterful unbeaten partnership between Aiden Markram and skipper Temba Bavuma, a stand worth 143 that has tilted the match decisively in their favour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt would mean everything,\u201d said a visibly moved Maharaj while speaking to ICC Digital. \u201cNot just us (the players) out there or the fans here, but to everyone back home. To see how long it's taken for this country to hold some sort of ICC final trophy in their hands... I'm sorry, I'm getting a bit teary-eyed, but I think it would be a privilege to be a part of, because we faced a lot as our country. And to see it come\u2014well not to get ahead, but to nearly get there\u2014is a very special feeling. So special.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The potential victory would also be a defining moment in the tenure of coach Shukri Conrad, who has reinvigorated the Test setup. Maharaj was full of praise for the team effort, particularly highlighting Kagiso Rabada\u2019s standout role and the grit of the batting unit.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cKudos to Aiden,\u201d Maharaj said of Markram, who responded to a first-innings failure with a sublime century. \u201cI saw a different sort of desire and focus in Aiden\u2019s eyes today... He\u2019s a big match player and big players rise up to the moment and rectify their mistakes very quickly. There\u2019s no better fitting moment for him to get a Test hundred here at Lord\u2019s in a final, against probably a team that I don\u2019t think they've ever lost a final.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Markram was ably supported by Bavuma, who battled through a hamstring niggle to remain unbeaten at stumps. Maharaj praised his skipper\u2019s courage: \u201cHe had a little bit of a niggle, but the warrior and fighter that he is was there with Aiden to support it. It was amazing to hear how they complemented each other when they came off at the tea break, just hearing about how they're going to go about their business and understanding that obviously Temba can't run at full tilt, but Aiden embraced that.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cKudos to Aiden,\u201d Maharaj said of Markram, who responded to a first-innings failure with a sublime century. \u201cI saw a different sort of desire and focus in Aiden\u2019s eyes today... He\u2019s a big match player and big players rise up to the moment and rectify their mistakes very quickly. There\u2019s no better fitting moment for him to get a Test hundred here at Lord\u2019s in a final, against probably a team that I don\u2019t think they've ever lost a final.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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