New Delhi, June 14 -- As South Africa inched closer to lifting the World Test Championship (WTC) title on Friday, former skipper Graeme Smith hailed his team's batting performance against Australia at Lord's.

After two days of bowlers from both sides trading blows, taking 28 wickets, it was the graft of the bowling group to finish Australia's innings in arguably the best period to bat in the Ultimate Test, before the Proteas batters moved the side into the ascendancy, and in touching distance of ending their 27-year ICC trophy drought.

Needing just a further 69 runs to win, the Proteas will continue on Day 4 through Aiden Markram (102 not out) and Temba Bavuma (65 not out), having already put on 143 runs in their third-wicket partnershi...