Wiaan Mulder’s Mindset Shift Boosts Proteas in WTC Final
South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder said something after the World Test Championship Final that many players can relate to. He shared that when the team went out to bat in the second innings at Lord’s, his mindset was completely different. In his words “This thought that we just need to score runs and not worry about the result removed the fear of failure from my mind.”
In a big match like the WTC Final, where every ball and decision matters, Wiaan Mulder playing calmly was the result of the Proteas approach. He accepted that the team focused only on one thing, “Whatever runs Australia made, we just have to match or beat that.”
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Batting at number 3 for the first time with calmness and clarity
Wiaan Mulder also took up a new challenge for the first time in his first-class career, he batted at number 3 in this match. He said, “It was a new experience for me. But when we had already decided to play only the bad balls, the pressure went away. This time I wasn’t afraid of myself or the outcome.”
This shows that the discussions in South Africa’s dressing room had a clear impact on the field. A simple plan to score runs, taking responsibility, and playing without fear, everything was visible in Mulder’s batting.
Third session of Day 3 turned the match
Wiaan Mulder called that moment the “super session,” and that session changed the game. Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma read the pitch and took control of the game in the third session, which gave the Proteas a lot of confidence.
Mulder said, “Both players have gone through tough times. Watching them play like this on a big stage like the WTC Final is a big moment for South African cricket. The pitch was slow, there was less movement, and we used that slow nature well.”
He also talked about the bowling phase, even when Australia was batting, the pitch was slow, and everything was happening slowly. But when South Africa came to bat, they used that same slow pace to their advantage.
Markram and Bavuma’s century stand changed the game
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In just 56 overs on Day 3, South Africa reached 213/2. The biggest reason behind this was the century partnership between Markram and Bavuma. Even though he was injured, Temba Bavuma showed great fight and remained not out on 65, while Aiden Markram scored a century and impressed everyone.
Earlier in the day, Mulder and Markram built a strong half-century stand that gave the team a solid base. At the end of the second session, the scoreboard showed 94/2, with Markram on 49* and Bavuma on 11*.
Mitchell Starc’s batting helped Australia get back in the match
South Africa’s comeback looked even better when we look at Australia’s second innings. Mitchell Starc scored an unbeaten 58 and took Australia’s total to 207/10 from 152/9. His innings set a 282-run target for South Africa.
Starc’s knock pushed Australia’s lead to 281 by lunch and put pressure on South Africa. But the way Proteas replied impressed everyone.
Final scorecard showed South Africa’s strong comeback
Here is the scorecard of the match so far:
Australia: 212 & 207
(Mitchell Starc 58*, Alex Carey 43, Kagiso Rabada 4/59)
South Africa: 138 & 213/2
(Aiden Markram 102*, Temba Bavuma 65*, Mitchell Starc 2/37)
South Africa had to chase 282 runs and the way they built the innings shows that this team wins matches not just with skill but also with the right thinking.
ALSO READ: Aiden Markram Made History At Lord’s, Helped South Africa Take Control In The Final
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