When the dust settles on this WTC final, and cricket historians look back, Aiden Markram’s hundred at Lord’s may not just be seen as a number on a scorecard — but as a turning point
Whether or not South Africa lift the trophy on Day 4, this innings has reaffirmed the value of grit, poise, and classical Test match batting.
For now, Markram walks off Lord’s on Day 3 unbeaten, carrying not just his bat but also a nation’s dreams.
Day 3 of the WTC 2025 Final delivered everything Test cricket promises—grit, skill, momentum shifts, and individual brilliance.
Aiden Markram’s century, under the greatest of pressure, has become the central narrative of this gripping match.
With one day remaining, the cricketing world waits in anticipation. Will South Africa script history, or does Australia have one final twist left? Whatever the result, Markram’s ton on Day 3 has already ensured this match will be remembered for years to come.
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Aiden Markram’s Fourth-Innings Masterclass Puts South Africa on Brink of WTC Glory
South African opener Aiden Markram played a gem of an innings on Day 3 of the 2025 World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, scoring an unbeaten century that could be etched in history should South Africa complete the chase on Day 4.1
His heroics have placed the Proteas in a commanding position against defending champions Australia, requiring just 69 more runs to lift the mace.
A Century That Could Define a Career
Markram’s century — an unbeaten 102 off 184 balls — was not just another milestone in the right-hander’s career.
It was a blend of composure, aggression, and mental strength, qualities essential for success in the fourth innings of a high-pressure Test final.
With South Africa chasing a target of 282, Markram’s ton has brought his team within touching distance of a famous win.
What makes the innings even more significant is the venue — Lord’s, the “Home of Cricket.” To deliver a potential match-winning fourth-innings century in a World Test Championship final at such a historic ground adds an almost cinematic weight to the achievement.
Bavuma’s Brave Resistance Despite Injury
While Markram will rightly earn the headlines, his captain Temba Bavuma deserves immense credit for his 65-run contribution.
Battling a hamstring strain, Bavuma walked in when South Africa were 86/2 and joined Markram in a potentially game-defining 127-run partnership.
His grit and patience helped anchor the innings and allowed Markram to play with freedom. Every run he scored came with visible discomfort, making his knock one of personal sacrifice and national pride.
Should South Africa go on to win, Bavuma’s innings will be remembered as a captain’s innings in every sense.
Aiden Markram’s Previous Fourth-Innings Centuries
To understand the magnitude of his Lord’s hundred, one must look back at Markram’s past efforts in similar situations.2
1. 108 vs Pakistan, Rawalpindi (2021)
Chasing a massive 370 in Rawalpindi, Markram produced a valiant 108 off 195 balls. With 13 boundaries and 3 sixes, he tried his best to pull off the improbable.
Although South Africa fell short by 95 runs, his innings was hailed as one of the bravest attempts in modern fourth-innings chases.
2. 143 vs Australia, Durban (2018)
In a Test remembered for Australia’s pace onslaught, Markram stood tall with a classy 143 off 218 deliveries. He hit 19 fours and showcased his ability to play long, controlled innings.
Again, though, the target of 417 proved too much for the Proteas, who were bundled out for 298.
Both of these knocks came in defeats, which makes his unbeaten hundred at Lord’s — with a win in sight — potentially his first match-winning fourth-innings century.
The Maturity of Markram: From Talent to Titan
When Aiden Markram burst onto the international scene, he was lauded for his technique and temperament.
However, inconsistency plagued his early Test career, leading to doubts about his long-term place in the side. Fast forward to 2025, and Markram has transformed into a leader at the top of the order.
His latest innings is not just about runs but about timing, match awareness, and game sense — attributes that elevate good batters into great ones. No longer just a stroke-maker, Markram is now the anchor and architect of South Africa’s batting blueprint.
A Test for the Ages: WTC Final Drama at Lord’s
The WTC Final itself has lived up to the hype, with momentum swinging both ways over the first three days.
Australia posted 275 in the first innings thanks to a gritty 89 from Marnus Labuschagne. South Africa responded with 268, trailing by just seven runs. In the second innings, Australia collapsed to 213 all out, setting South Africa a tricky target of 282 on a wearing Day 3 pitch.
With the game evenly poised, Markram and Bavuma’s partnership could go down as the most significant stand of the match.
It also reignites the age-old debate about whether chasing in the fourth innings of a Test is a lost art — Markram has proved it’s not.
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Aiden Markram Stuns Australia with Stellar Ton on Day 3 of the WTC 2025 Final
Day 3 of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 Final at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground turned out to be a thrilling chapter in Test match cricket.3
Australia, holding a narrow lead overnight, began the day at 144/8 in their second innings. With only two wickets in hand, the odds seemed against them posting a challenging total.
However, what followed was a spirited lower-order resistance led by Mitchell Starc, offering the crowd an unexpected twist before South Africa launched their pursuit of a tricky target of 282.
Australia’s Morning Resistance Led by Starc
Mitchell Starc played the innings of his life, not just surviving but scoring runs with surprising fluency under immense pressure. Facing one of the world’s best pace attacks on a responsive surface, Starc’s unbeaten 58 off 136 deliveries was a showcase of resilience and defiance.
He shielded number 11 Josh Hazlewood effectively, while also managing to score boundaries to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Hazlewood, too, contributed valiantly with a gritty 17 off 53 deliveries. The last-wicket stand between Starc and Hazlewood was worth 59 runs—vital runs that turned the game on its head temporarily.
Just when it seemed like the momentum was shifting Australia’s way, Aiden Markram, who had taken the ball in a surprise move, removed Hazlewood on the stroke of lunch with a sharp catch off his own bowling.
Target Set: South Africa Face a Tricky Chase
With Australia bowled out for 207, South Africa were left chasing 282 for victory in the fourth innings of a Test final—a target not often chased successfully under high-pressure circumstances.
The pitch, offering variable bounce and seam movement, added further complexity to the task at hand.
South Africa knew a strong opening session was crucial to set the foundation for a historic run chase. However, Australia’s new-ball pair of Starc and Pat Cummins had other plans.
Early Blow: Rickelton Falls to Starc
- South Africa’s innings got off to a nervy start. Ryan Rickelton, who had shown promise earlier in the match, fell cheaply for 6 to a well-directed delivery from Starc that angled across him and found the edge.
- The early wicket gave Australia a much-needed boost and reminded the Proteas that every run would have to be earned.
- With the score at just 12/1, the pressure was firmly on Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder, the new pair at the crease.
- With two wickets down and plenty of runs still required, the South African captain, Temba Bavuma, walked to the crease. The match was on a knife’s edge.
- Bavuma, known for his calm demeanor and steady batting, was now tasked with supporting a fluent Markram and guiding his team through a potential minefield.
- From the moment he arrived at the crease, Bavuma showed sound judgment. He left the balls outside off and punished anything too full or short. Together with Markram, he began to wear down the Australian attack.
Aiden Markram‘s Masterclass: Ton Under Pressure
As the day progressed, Aiden Markram grew in confidence. He was composed against the quicks, confident against Nathan Lyon’s spin, and was constantly manipulating the field with clever footwork and strike rotation.
His timing was exquisite, and as the ball softened, his strokeplay became increasingly assertive.
Markram reached his half-century with a square cut off Cummins and later brought up his century with a majestic straight drive off Lyon—one that drew a standing ovation from the Lord’s crowd.
His celebration was restrained but powerful: a raised bat, a look to the dressing room, and a sense of steely focus that the job was far from finished.
Aiden Markram: Promotion
Aiden Markram promoting India’s oldest & most trusted online gaming platform CBTFAIR on his instagram account.
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Australia’s Bowlers toiled Without Reward
Despite all their efforts, the Australian bowlers couldn’t break the Markram-Bavuma stand. Starc, having already picked two wickets, tried reverse swing later in the day, while Cummins bowled with relentless energy.
Scott Boland tested the edges without success, and Lyon tossed the ball up, hoping for a misjudgment.
But the South African batters were disciplined. Markram played with soft hands and used his feet to disrupt Lyon’s rhythm, while Bavuma anchored the innings with a calm head and precise technique.
The Stand that Shifted Momentum
By stumps on Day 3, Markram and Bavuma had compiled an unbroken 143-run partnership—one of the most vital stands in the history of South African cricket.
They had taken their side from a precarious position to one of considerable strength. South Africa ended the day at 216/2, needing just 66 more runs to win with eight wickets in hand.
Markram was unbeaten on 112, while Bavuma was on 61. Their stand not only rescued the innings but put South Africa in prime position to chase down a daunting target on a challenging surface.
Aiden Markram’s Redemption and Legacy Moment
For Aiden Markram, this innings wasn’t just about runs—it was about redemption. Once considered the future of South African cricket, his journey has been one of ups and downs.
Injuries, inconsistent form, and selection dilemmas had plagued his Test career. But this knock, on the biggest stage of them all, was a reminder of his class and temperament.
It was a Test match innings for the ages, combining technique, mental strength, and adaptability. Against the backdrop of the prestigious Lord’s pavilion and the pressure of a WTC final, Markram delivered a performance that might define his career.
Day 4 Outlook: South Africa on the Brink of History
As Day 4 approaches, South Africa are just 66 runs away from their first-ever ICC title in men’s cricket.
They’ve been to multiple semi-finals and finals in white-ball formats, but the World Test Championship offers them a unique shot at glory in the traditional format.
The key will be starting Day 4 without losing early wickets. With a solid batting lineup still to come and two well-set batters at the crease, the Proteas have the upper hand. However, the final day of a Test can be unpredictable.
Australia will come out swinging, knowing a couple of quick wickets could bring them right back into the contest.
Stabilization Through a Crucial Partnership
Markram, opening the innings, was joined by Wiaan Mulder at a time when calm and composure were most needed.
The duo steadily built a partnership, absorbing the Australian pace attack’s intensity. Mulder played a supporting role, rotating the strike and allowing Markram to settle into his rhythm.
The partnership of 61 was critical in blunting the new ball threat and took South Africa past the 70-run mark.
But just as Mulder seemed to be finding his groove, Starc struck again. A fuller delivery drew Mulder into a drive, and the edge flew to the slip cordon, where Steve Smith completed a regulation catch.
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