Markram Silenced Doubters – South Africa WTC Win at Lord’s

Markram: South Africa Have Silenced the Doubters with WTC Triumph

Aiden Markram‘s sensational knock of 136 in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final didn’t just win the match—it delivered a message. At Lord’s, the raconteur of a century climbed to the crease and refused to relent, guiding the Proteas to a historic five‑wicket victory and ending a 27‑year ICC trophy drought. With unwavering determination, Markram silenced the generation-long whispers that his side were serial chokers, and etched this innings as one of the finest in South African cricket history.

From Past Pain to Present Glory

Ever the introspective athlete, Markram revealed how memories of the agonising defeat in last year's T20 World Cup final fueled his determination in London. “I thought a lot about the T20 World Cup last night and how helpless I felt after getting out,” he admitted in a post-match feature. Those haunting feelings of helplessness transformed into unrelenting grit: he blocked, nudged, and drove runs intelligently, refusing to let history repeat itself.

On Day 3, the game had paused with Markram stranded on 102* and his captain Temba Bavuma at 65—only 69 runs remained and pressure was building. As night fell, Markram confessed to a sleepless few hours, unable to switch off, the adrenaline and awareness of history looming large . Yet with composure he emerged the next morning, determined to finish what he started.

A Knock for the Ages

Markram’s 136 didn’t just score runs; it swung momentum. Facing a great Australian bowling attack, he offered little flashiness—just unshakeable intent. The partnership of 147 with Bavuma shattered the back of Australia’s challenge and rendered a daunting chase look possible. Bavuma, hampered by a hamstring injury, displayed remarkable grit, keeping the scoreboard ticking over under immense pressure. Markram praised his captain: “He showed a lot of adrenaline, leadership, character … he managed to run twos and threes” .

When the iconic moment arrived—with just six runs remaining—Markram fell, but his work was done. Kyle Verreynne sealed the win, and the Lord’s crowd erupted. South Africa reached a milestone: their first major ICC trophy since the 1998 Champions Trophy.

Shedding the “Chokers” Label

For years, South African cricket has carried the label of “chokers”—blighted by repeated high-profile near-misses. Markram, however, believes this feat has finally put that narrative to bed: “All the questions that have been asked in the past have fortunately now been answered ... it would be great to not hear it (chokers) again”. His performance stands tall not only in stats, but in psychological impact—Markram has given his nation permission to believe again.

Reflecting on the emotional weight, he shared that as his century arrived late on Day 3, he was soaked by gratitude and tears: “Nothing has hit me today just yet, but something needs to hit me soon as it has been a rollercoaster”.

Technical Brilliance: Craft Honed to Victory

Markram’s century wasn’t a flash in the pan—it was the fruit of deliberate refinement. South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince revealed that Markram tweaked his technique ahead of the Final, shoring up his defence and clarifying his shot selections. This adaptability exemplifies a modern champion: one who evolves with intent, not circumstance.

His innings—punctuated by crisp back-foot punches and refined straight drives—drew admiration from former greats. Jacques Kallis analogies and high praise from Michael Vaughan signalled a century that will linger in cricketing folklore .

A Broader, Cultural Victory

Beyond the boundary ropes, this triumph resonates deeply within South Africa. Kagiso Rabada, whose nine wickets anchored the bowling effort, celebrated this as a unifying moment for their nation. The win revives the spirit of 1995 Rugby World Cup triumph—a moment that transcended sport.

Markram himself views this as inspiration for a generation: “Test cricket has always been my favourite format … it’s more about the young guys coming through, we want their main thing to be getting a Test cap for South Africa” . His message: sustain Test cricket’s primacy in the nation’s sporting ethos.

Legacy in the Making

At 30, Markram is already a giant of South African cricket. Captaining the U19 side to glory in 2014, starring in the SA20 league, and now engineering South Africa’s first Test crown—his stock has soared . With this Masterclass, he has more than cemented a place in cricket history—he has offered a blueprint for seizing moments that matter most.