Aiden Markram, you beauty! He’d already registered his name on the Lord’s honours board. But this unbeaten knock, right here, means Markram’s name will enter cricket’s history books. This might be considered the greatest hundred by a South African batter. Markram has led from the front in ending South Africa’s ICC trophy drought of 27 years with a 136-run knock in the fourth innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025.
Markram magic in WTC Final
Of course, every South African player deserves credit. But Markram just scored his 3rd fourth innings hundred. In context, 4 is the highest number of centuries scored by any batter in the history of cricket. The opener has done something so spectacular, and that too on the biggest of occasions, that he deserves more credit than anyone. Not to forget that Markram had gotten Steve Smith’s wicket in the first innings and the last Australian wicket in the second innings.
This right there was one of the greatest ICC Final performances. But the bigger story is South Africa finally burying the ‘choker’ tag into the ground. For years, they have collapsed under pressure in the biggest of moments. Heck, last year they failed to chase 30 from 30 in the T20 World Cup Final. This victory right here means a lot.
What it means
Since their readmission in 1992, they haven’t done anything close to winning the WTC Final. They’ve had much better teams and players, but yet an ICC trophy has evaded them. Yes, the 1998 Champions Trophy was there. But at that time, it was called the Wills International Cup. No one knew it would become a thing in the future. South Africa themselves sent in a second-string team.
Everyone knows the current state of Test cricket in South Africa. At one point, that board organised a Test tour to New Zealand during the SA20. The side that travelled had David Bedingham as captain. He hadn’t even made his debut till then. They needed this to revive Test cricket. To show they still care, their players have been dying for more red-ball cricket. This could have bigger implications for the future of Test cricket in South Africa and build a healthier ecosystem for world cricket.
To beat Australia, who were the ones they lost to in the 1999 World Cup, will make it even more special. Australia has a rich history of being more clutch in the big moments and matches. But South Africa has outdone Pat Cummins’ series winners, the reigning WTC champions.
The wait has been long. But the taste of this victory will be sweet. AB de Villiers, Graeme Smith, and Shaun Pollock are currently present at Lord’s. These are three of the greatest Test batters South Africa has ever had, yet neither were able to do what Temba Bavuma’s men have done. This isn’t just South Africa’s victory; it’s cricket’s.
South Africa in ICC events since 2023
February 26, 2023: Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, lost to Australia by 19 runs in the Final
November 16, 2023: Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, lost to Australia by 3 wickets in the Semifinal
February 6, 2024: Under-19 Men’s ODI World Cup 2024, lost to India by 2 wickets in the Semifinal
June 29, 2024: Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, lost to India by 7 runs in the Final
October 20, 2024: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, lost to New Zealand by 32 runs in the Final
February 2, 2025: Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, lost to India by 9 wickets in the Final
March 5, 2025: Men’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025, lost to New Zealand by 50 runs in the Semifinal
June 11-14, 2025: World Test Championship 2025, won by 5 wickets against Australia in the Final
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