How much is enough? It is the question on every Australian cricket fans’ lips tonight as we resume on 8-144 against South Africa in the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s.

Heading into day three, starting at 7.30pm AEST, the Australians lead by 218 runs with two wickets in hand – Mitch Starc is 16 not out, Nathan Lyon is on one not out, and Josh Hazelwood will have the pads on ready to bat. Fair chance he’s a nervous wreck, knowing he’s next man in.

So far, 28 wickets have fallen across two days – at an average of 17.6 runs per scalp – so the Lord’s strip could hardly be considered a batting paradise. More like a minefield.

But all it takes is for one of the South Africans to get a hold of the Australian attack and any total fewer than 250 will look like chicken feed.

Let’s hope, for the Aussie fans sake, that Starc gets busy early, slogs a few over cow corner – because we know he ain’t Don Bradman – and give us at least a 250-run advantage.

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For those who have been stuck under a rock for the past two days, here’s a quick recap of the action so far:

Day one: Crumble city. Australia is all out for 212. Beau Webster starts like a C-grader but finds form to top score with 72, while the ever reliable Steve Smith grinds out 66. Kagiso Rabada is potent, snaring 5-51, including the top order scalps of Usman Khwaja (duck), Cameron Green (four) and Webster. Marco Jansen claims three wicket.

South Africa top order is bamboozled by the Australian quicks late in the day to slump to 4-43 at stumps.

Day two: The Australians wrap up the South African innings for a meagre 138 runs. David Bedingham provides the main resistance with 45, but not before a mini panic attack when he grabs a ball that has become wedged in the top of his pad. Skipper Pat Cummins is the chief destroyer – who else? – with 6-28. For trivia buffs, it’s the first time a fast bowling captain has taken five wickets in an innings at Lord’s since Bob Willis in 1982. For those young bucks born after 1990, you might have to Google Bob. Cummins sits equal-second on the list of Test captains with the most five-wicket hauls, alongside Richie Benaud on nine, and behind Imran Khan’s 12. Legends.

Batting for a second time, the Australians make their first innings look like a run fest, staggering to 8-144 by the close of play. Glovesman Alex Carey is top scorer with 43, while Mitch Starc (16) and Nathan Lyon (one) are still at the crease. Rabada has taken 3-44, while Lungi Ngidi has 3-35.