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In the world of Test cricket, pressure can either define you or destroy you. And in the cauldron of the World Test Championship 2025 Final, with the iconic Lord’s crowd watching every moment in rapt attention, Aiden Markram chose to be defined by the moment.
Aiden Markram etches his name in WTC history
The star South African opener rose to the occasion on Day 3 of the WTC 2025 Final against Australia, becoming only the third batter to score a century in a WTC Final. His unbeaten 102 off 155 deliveries was not just a display of technical brilliance but also a testament to temperament, especially on a surface that had seen 28 wickets fall across the first two days.
In doing so, Markram joined an elite club that includes Australia’s Travis Head and Steve Smith, who had both scored centuries in the 2023 edition of the final against India. However, Markram’s ton carried its own unique weight—it was the first century ever scored by a South African in a WTC Final and came while chasing a challenging 282-run target, a feat achieved only twice in the long history of Lord’s.
Centuries in WTC Finals:
- Travis Head: 163 off 174 balls, vs India 2023
- Steve Smith: 121 off 268 balls, vs India 2023
- Aiden Markram: 102* off 155 balls, vs Australia 2025
South Africa eye WTC title courtesy of batting brilliance from Markram and Temba Bavuma
Taking full advantage of clear skies and a relatively sedate third-day pitch, Markram kept the scoreboard ticking with controlled aggression. He cut and drove with fluency, refusing to be lured into loose strokes despite the nagging lines bowled by Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Every run he scored was a nail in Australia’s defensive wall, slowly dismantling their hopes of retaining the trophy.
From the first ball, Markram looked locked in. He absorbed the early pressure, weathered a few close calls, and gradually took control. His partnership with Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma, worth over 150 runs at the time of his milestone, was central to South Africa’s resistance and growing dominance.
While Markram stole the headlines, Bavuma’s gritty 62* provided the perfect foil. His calm presence allowed Markram to flourish, and together, they turned what seemed like a precarious chase into a promising pursuit. With Markram and Bavuma leading the way, South Africa ended Day 3 with a real shot at claiming their first-ever WTC title. While the job is not yet done, Markram’s historic innings has put his side in the driver’s seat and could very well be remembered as one of the finest in WTC Final history.
