Big target looms but South Africa are confident of chasing it down

LONDON - South Africa insist they are confident of chasing down a tough target to win the World Test Championship at Lord’s even if the contest against Australia has been dominated by the bowlers.

Batsman David Bedingham, who top scored with 45 for South Africa’s meagre first innings total of 138, said there was confidence in their camp that they could haul in whatever target Australia set.

The defending champions already have a 218-run lead with two second innings wickets in hand and resume on Friday looking to add more to make South Africa’s task even harder.

“I think its just an amazing chance. And I think were all very, very excited about the opportunity to win,” Bedingham said after 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 theres a lot of belief in the dressing room.”

But with 28 wickets falling over the first two days, the bowlers held the upper hand and South Africa’s chances of an upset victory look slim.

“I think when you have six quality seamers on a tricky pitch, it obviously makes batting tough. But I think the way the games going, I think the wicket has slowed down a bit. The nicks arent carrying, said Bedingham.

“So I think in the fourth innings, theyll maybe come a bit straighter, and hopefully we can get those runs.”

But he admitted Australia’s attack, led by six wickets for Pat Cummins, had proven formidable on Thursday.

“Personally, I dont think the Australians gave us any bad balls. Thats why theyre 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