Table of Contents
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final at Lord’s is set to be a blockbuster, as defending champions Australia take on a resurgent South Africa from June 11. The stakes are immense: Australia, led by Pat Cummins, are aiming to cement their legacy with back-to-back titles, while South Africa, under Temba Bavuma, are hungry for their first ICC trophy in over two decades. Amidst this high-voltage contest, one of the most intriguing individual battles will be between South African opener Aiden Markram and Australia’s veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon.
Aiden Markram’s past triumph over Nathan Lyon
Markram arrives at Lord’s with a reputation for playing impactful knocks, especially against Australia. In the 2018 home series, Markram amassed 480 runs in four Tests at an impressive average of 60, notching up two centuries and finishing as the series’ highest run-scorer. However, his recent WTC cycle numbers (572 runs at 33.64) suggest a struggle for consistency, and his solitary outing at Lord’s in 2022 yielded just 16 runs.
When it comes to facing Lyon in Tests, Markram has played 207 balls, scored 115 runs, and crucially, has never been dismissed by the off-spinner in this format. His strike rate of 55.6 against Lyon indicates a confident approach, punctuated by 12 boundaries and two sixes. In ODIs, however, Lyon has dismissed Markram once in just eight balls, hinting at the spinner’s ability to adapt and find breakthroughs.
Lyon eyes another big stage
Lyon, with over 550 Test wickets, remains Australia’s go-to spinner in high-pressure games. Against South Africa, he has claimed 56 wickets in 18 matches, underlining his effectiveness against the Proteas. Lyon’s experience at Lord’s and his match-winning temperament—evident in Australia’s WTC triumph in 2023—make him a formidable opponent.
Lyon’s record against Markram is notable for the absence of a Test wicket, but the off-spinner’s ability to exploit English conditions with the Dukes ball could tilt the contest. Lyon’s subtle variations and relentless accuracy have troubled many top-order batters, and with the Lord’s surface often offering assistance to spinners as the match progresses, he will be eager to break his duck against Markram in Tests.
Who will win this battle?
The numbers suggest Markram has had the upper hand in their Test encounters so far, but the WTC final is a different beast. Markram’s aggressive intent could either pay rich dividends or play into Lyon’s hands, especially if the pitch begins to turn. Lyon’s experience, coupled with his hunger to contribute on the grandest stage, cannot be underestimated.
Ultimately, the outcome may hinge on who adapts better to the pressure and conditions at Lord’s. If Markram can channel his 2018 form and continue to play Lyon confidently, South Africa’s hopes will soar. But if Lyon finds his rhythm and gets early assistance, he could finally claim Markram’s wicket in Tests—and potentially swing the final Australia’s way.
