Bavuma and Markram swung WTC final
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South Africa’s batting hero Aiden Markram has taken longer than expected to deliver on his promise, but a match-winning century against Australia in the World Test Championship final is being hailed as the biggest in the country’s cricketing history.
Aiden Markram, who captained South Africa to their only U19 World Cup title in 2014, and then led the senior side to a runners-up finish at T20 World Cup last year, was fittingly named Player of the Match for his heroics at Lord's.
In a post on his X account, AB de Villiers expressed his joy as South Africa won their first ICC title in 27 years. He praised Aiden Markram, who scored a century in the WTC Final. He also was all praise for captain Temba Bavuma.
In the WTC Final Markram scored 136 runs, hitting 14 fours. He partnered with South African captain Temba Bavuma to add 147 runs for the third wicket, with Bavuma contributing 66 runs off 134 balls.
Star South African batter Aiden Markram played a match-winning knock of 136 runs in the WTC 2025 Final against Australia at the Lord's.
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South Africa, set 282 to win, finished on 282-5 before lunch on the fourth day, with opening batsman Markram falling for 136 after taking South Africa to within six runs of the title.
With a ton in the second innings at Lord's, Markram became just the third batter to score a century in the WTC final after Steve Smith and Travis Head. Markram found support in skipper Temba Bavuma as the duo frustrated the Australian attack.
South Africa chased down the challenging 282-run target set by Australia with five sessions to spare, thanks primarily to Aiden Markram’s majestic 136 and his 147-run third-wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma (66),