The much-awaited moment for South African cricket finally arrived, thanks to the unforgettable Markram WTC final century. At Lord’s, South Africa chased down 282 to defeat Australia by five wickets and lift the World Test Championship title. The pressure was immense, but Aiden Markram’s heroic 136 anchored the chase and ended decades of heartbreak.
A Nervy Start to the Final Day
Resuming at 213 for 2, South Africa needed just 69 more runs to script history. However, the early loss of captain Temba Bavuma brought uncertainty. Bavuma, who batted through a painful hamstring strain, partnered with Markram for a vital 147-run stand that put South Africa in control.
Although Bavuma couldn’t see the match through, his contribution proved crucial. When he fell to a sharp delivery from Pat Cummins, the crowd grew tense. Fortunately, the Markram WTC final century continued to steer the innings calmly.
Australia Fights but Falls Short
Australia, despite leading by 74 runs after the first innings, collapsed dramatically in their second. A 73-for-7 slide erased their advantage, and although the bowlers fought back, they couldn’t stop South Africa.
Mitchell Starc added late drama with a wicket and aggressive spells. However, poor reviews and missed opportunities hurt their cause. Even the second new ball couldn’t trigger a collapse.
Markram’s Century Goes Into History Books
The Lord’s crowd erupted as Kyle Verreynne drove the winning runs. Yet, the moment belonged to Markram. His knock, now etched in memory as the most important in South Africa’s Test history, finally gave the team its long-awaited global title.
The Markram WTC final century didn’t just win a match. It ended a legacy of near-misses and delivered the crowning achievement in South Africa’s red-ball journey.
