A Century for the Ages at Lord’s
In the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 at Lord’s, Aiden Markram performed the way a history book would describe, scoring an unbeaten century against Australia. With South Africa in need of a savior after a disappointing first innings followed by a steep target of 282 runs, Markram’s 102* off 159 balls, with 11 boundaries, was a masterclass in both resistance and redemption. It wasn’t merely a fight for survival that inspired him to overcome the heartbreak of a first-innings duck, but rather the opportunity to become the hero and help South Africa win their first WTC title.
Emotional Scenes and a Record-Breaking Feat
The first-ever South African to hit a century in the final of an ICC tournament, Markram’s vigorous and emotional celebration after reaching his eighth Test hundred portrays what that moment meant not only to him but to a nation yearning for ICC tournament success for 27 long years. He also joins the elite group of players who scored both a duck and a century in the same Test played at Lord’s. With only 4 successful chases above 200 recorded at this iconic venue, the pressure was immense, and Markram’s achievement was remarkable.
A Partnership That Defined the Final
The remarkable partnership formed between Markram and captain Temba Bavuma, who remained not out on 65*, brought up 143 runs for the third wicket, leaving South Africa needing only 69 runs for a historic victory. South Africa’s calmness under pressure during the Australia-South Africa world-class clash showcased the pride and willpower South Africa possesses to fight for their sporting history at Lord’s—rewriting history with sheer determination.
Viral Praise and the Impact on South African Cricket
Markram’s magical ton has captured the imagination of cricket fans all over the globe, with an old compliment from Virat Kohli resurfacing that stated that Markram is “a delight to watch.” The innings is being heralded as one of the best in the history of the WTC finals, especially when you consider that Indian superstars Kohli and Rohit Sharma never managed to score a century in a WTC final. Markram’s milestone not only pushes South Africa within reach of their first ICC trophy since 1998 but also serves to motivate a new wave of fans and players to get involved with the Proteas.
