Aiden Markram Leaves AB de Villiers Behind with Stunning Century in WTC Final vs Australia
Aiden Markram scored a brilliant fourth-innings century to take South Africa within 69 runs of winning the WTC 2025 Final.
Aiden Markram gave South African fans a moment to remember with a brilliant hundred in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 Final at Lord’s. He stayed unbeaten on 102 at the end of Day 3, guiding his team closer to a big win against Australia.
Markram Goes Past AB de Villiers In Fourth-Innings Records
Batting in the fourth innings is never easy. The pitch gets difficult, and the pressure is high. But Markram stayed calm and scored his third Test century in the fourth innings.
With this, he went past AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis, who had two fourth-innings hundreds each. Only former captain Graeme Smith has more, with four to his name.
Most Fourth-Innings Test Centuries for South Africa:
- Graeme Smith – 4
- Aiden Markram – 3
- AB de Villiers – 2
- Faf du Plessis – 2
- Herbie Taylor – 2
Markram has now scored over 600 runs in the fourth innings of Tests at an average of 46.53. His latest hundred came when South Africa were chasing 282 runs. They now need only 69 more runs to win, with eight wickets in hand.
Markram And Bavuma Take South Africa Close To Glory
South Africa’s chase started with an early loss, as Ryan Rickelton was dismissed quickly. But Markram and Wiaan Mulder added 61 runs to steady the innings.
Mulder fell to Starc, but the job was far from over. Captain Temba Bavuma, who had injured his hamstring, came out bravely to bat. He joined Markram and built a strong 143-run partnership.
Bavuma scored a fighting half-century and remained not out with Markram at stumps. Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc helped Australia fight back from 73/7 to over 200 with an unbeaten fifty. But South Africa still kept control and ended Day 3 in a strong position.
On Day 4, South Africa will begin with 69 runs left to chase. If they do it, they will win their first WTC title in style.
