Aiden Markram's magnificent century in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord's has drawn widespread praise from the cricketing fraternity, with legends like Dale Steyn and Michael Vaughan leading the accolades. Markram's knock of 102*, which came on Day 3 of the high-stakes match, has put South Africa in a commanding position as they chase their maiden WTC title.
Chasing a target of 282, the Proteas found themselves in a precarious situation after losing early wickets. However, Markram, known for his elegant strokeplay and solid technique, stepped up to the occasion, displaying remarkable composure against a world-class Australian bowling attack. His innings, laced with 11 boundaries, was a blend of aggression and caution, as he navigated the challenging conditions and kept the scoreboard ticking.
Markram's resilience and determination were particularly commendable considering the pressure of the WTC final. With the weight of a nation's expectations on his shoulders, he delivered a performance that will be etched in the memories of South African cricket fans for years to come. This century is especially significant as it is the first-ever by a South African player in an ICC tournament final.
Dale Steyn, the former South African fast bowling great, expressed his admiration for Markram's innings with a succinct but emphatic "S A U C E 100!!!!!!!!!", highlighting the class and flair that characterized Markram's knock. Steyn's tweet reflected the collective sentiment of South African fans, who have been yearning for a match-winning performance from their top-order batsmen.
Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, was equally effusive in his praise for Markram, describing his innings as "one of the finest tons in a final." Vaughan acknowledged the significance of the occasion and the quality of the opposition, emphasizing that Markram had produced a special innings "at the most important time against a World class attack." He further added that this was a "huge moment for S.A Cricket" and that "2025 is certainly the year of the under dog."
Several other prominent figures in the cricketing world also lauded Markram's effort. Irfan Pathan, the former Indian all-rounder, termed it a "high class" century and predicted that it would be "one to remember for a long time." Kevin Pietersen, the ex-England cricketer, praised both Markram and skipper Temba Bavuma, acknowledging the "nervy sleep" ahead as South Africa stood on the cusp of victory. Even Faf Du Plessis, the former South African captain, shared his appreciation for Markram's innings on social media.
Keshav Maharaj lauded Markram's temperament and intent, stating that the opener showcased a renewed focus and rose to the occasion after a disappointing first-innings outing. Maharaj described Markram as a "big-match player" who had shown a clear sense of purpose before walking out to bat.
At the end of Day 3, South Africa were 213/2, needing just 69 more runs to win the WTC final. Markram remained unbeaten on 102, while Bavuma was not out on 65, having battled through a hamstring injury. Their unbroken century stand for the third wicket has put South Africa in a dominant position, and they will be hoping to complete the chase on the final day and lift the WTC trophy.
