On Day 3, Markram stayed undefeated as they chased a goal of 282 runs against Australia (102*). In the end, he scored 136 off 207 balls to help South Africa defeat the Australians and win their second ICC title in all formats.
Here, we unravel Markram’s accomplishments.
Aiden Markram’s Defining Knock at Lord’s: A Century to Remember
When the stakes are highest, true champions rise. Aiden Markram proved just that with a stunning century in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
From a Six-Ball Duck to a Match-Winning Hero
Markram had a forgettable start in the second innings of the match, registering a six-ball duck. Chasing a daunting 282 in the final innings, South Africa needed something special—and Markram delivered with composure, flair, and determination.
This was arguably Markram’s most satisfying Test century, not just for the runs but for the timing, the setting, and the pressure.
His match-winning 147-run stand with skipper Temba Bavuma was pivotal in steering South Africa towards a historic win in a major ICC final.
Markram Joins an Elite Club in WTC Final History
With a defiant 136, Markram became only the third batter in history to score a century in a World Test Championship final. He now joins the elite ranks of Steve Smith (121) and Travis Head (163), who achieved the feat during the 2021–23 final against India at The Oval.
Smith and Head’s contributions led Australia to 469 in that game, resulting in a comfortable win. Similarly, Markram’s innings played a decisive role in South Africa’s pursuit of glory.
Eighth Test Century and Maiden Hundred in England
With this knock, Markram registered his 8th Test century and his first on English soil. Entering the match, he had only 36 runs from three innings in England across two matches.
His career tally now stands at 2,993 runs in 46 Tests (84 innings), including 13 fifties.
Against Australia specifically, Markram has scored 600+ runs in just 5 matches (10 innings), including 3 centuries and a fifty—showing his love for the Aussie bowling attack.
Rare Double at Lord’s: A Duck and a Century in the Same Match
According to Cricbuzz, Markram became the ninth batter in Test history to record both a duck and a century in the same match at Lord’s. Only two other players have done it since 1980:
Michael Vaughan vs India, 2002
Misbah-ul-Haq vs England, 2016
This rare feat adds another unique chapter to Markram’s career.
WTC Milestone: 1,500+ Runs and Counting
With his very first run in the final, Markram crossed 1,500 runs in ICC World Test Championship history, becoming just the third South African batter to do so after Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma.
He now has 1,635 runs in 29 matches at an average of 32.05, including 4 centuries and 7 fifties.