Aiden Markram etched his name in history with a masterclass at Lord’s on Friday. The Proteas batter smashed his 8th Test century in the World Test Championship final against Australia. He became just the 3rd batter to score a hundred in the WTC Final, joining Steve Smith and Travis Head.
Markram mania at Lord’s! Aiden Markram joins honours board with WTC Final epic
Aiden Markram was the South African captain when they lost the T20 World Cup final to India last year. Now with another chance at a silverware, Markram stood tall in a batting masterclass at the Mecca of Cricket. In their chase of a first ICC trophy in 27 years, the Proteas opener smashed fine century on Day 3 of the WTC Final 2025 vs Australia.
The 30-year-old became just the 3rd player to have scored a ton in the WTC Final. Australia’s Steve Smith and Travis Head had scored centuries in the 2023 clash against India. Both those centuries came in Australia’s first innings, while Markram’s effort came while chasing in the 4th innings.
Ultimate knock in the Ultimate Test
Aiden Markram brings in all his class and experience on the biggest stage
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It was his first hundred at Lord’s, etching his name on the honours board. The 30-year-old batted for more than 4 hours, showcasing a mixture of patience and aggression against a quality Australian attack. It was his 8th Test century, and first on English soil. He enjoys a good record against the holders, with this being his 3rd ton against Pat Cummins and Co. It is his 3rd in a 4th innings of a Test, the joint second by an opener in Test cricket. Only Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Smith (4) have more 4th innings centuries than the Proteas star.
Markram makes up for lost time
Aiden Markram had scored a duck in the 1st innings but more than made up for it in the second innings. Chasing a daunting 282, the South African opener led his side to 213/2 at Stumps on Day 3. The Proteas need just 69 to win their first ICC title since 1998 and Markram’s knock has gone a long way in putting them in the drivers seat.
Markram was always highly regarded in South African cricket since his young days but that talent always seemed to not translate at the international stage. The 30-year-old however stood stall in the biggest game of his career and his country. He was given a standing ovation at Lord’s after reaching the 3 figures a sign of his fantastic impact on the game.
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