The cricketing world witnessed a memorable moment on Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2025 at Lord's, as South Africa's Aiden Markram etched his name into the history books with a magnificent century against Australia. This knock wasn't just a personal milestone; it was a pivotal innings that brought South Africa within touching distance of their maiden ICC world title.
Chasing a target of 282 in a match where batting had proven to be a daunting task, Markram displayed remarkable composure and skill, crafting an unbeaten 102 off 159 balls. His innings, studded with 11 elegant boundaries, was the first century by a South African batter in an ICC tournament final, a feat that adds another layer of significance to his achievement.
Markram's emotional celebration upon reaching the century mark was a testament to the weight of the occasion and the journey he had undertaken to reach this point. The relief and joy were palpable as he raised his bat, acknowledging the cheers of the crowd and the adulation of his teammates. It was a moment that resonated deeply with South African cricket fans, who have long yearned for success on the global stage.
His teammate, Keshav Maharaj, lauded Markram as a "big-match player," emphasizing the opener's clear sense of purpose and determination. Maharaj noted that Markram was keen to make amends for his dismissal in the first innings and praised the way he applied himself under pressure. According to Maharaj, Markram's body language exuded confidence and a readiness to take responsibility, which he translated into a controlled and impactful century.
Adding to the significance of Markram's feat, Virat Kohli's old tweet resurfaced. Back in 2018, Kohli had praised Markram's talent, calling him "a delight to watch." This tweet going viral highlighted the cricketing fraternity's long-standing recognition of Markram's potential and the satisfaction of seeing him finally realize it on the grandest stage.
Markram's century was not a lone effort. He forged a crucial, unbeaten century partnership with captain Temba Bavuma, who himself fought through a hamstring injury to register a half-century. Their 143-run stand for the third wicket proved to be the backbone of South Africa's chase, effectively silencing the Australian bowlers and shifting the momentum firmly in their favor.
With South Africa needing just 69 more runs on the final day to lift the WTC trophy, Markram's century has placed them in a commanding position. Beyond the immediate context of the match, this innings could well be a career-defining moment for Markram, solidifying his place among South Africa's cricketing elite.
