Wed. Jul 30th, 2025

Markram Joins Bradman in Exclusive Lord's Club, Becomes First South African with ICC Final Century

In a match that will be remembered in the annals of cricketing history, Aiden Markram produced a moment of greatness when he scored a century for the ages in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at the famous Lord’s Cricket Ground. It was a performance not just for the record books, but one that elevated him to being part of a very exclusive club of cricketers, including the legendary Sir Don Bradman.

Aiden Markram’s Century – A Defining Moment

Markram’s 102 not out off 159 balls, which was made up of 11 fours, was made under extraordinary pressure whilst chasing a challenging 282, and in a context where the bowlers dominated and where runs were hard to come by. Markram’s composed attitude with the bat was exemplary.

This marks the first century by a South African batter in an ICC tournament final. It is a milestone occasion for Markram but also for the Protea Cricketing family.

Markram batted in the fourth innings of the Test where players often responded poorly to pressure. He and skipper Temba Bavuma, with their unbeaten century partnership, made South Africa 213/2 in 56 overs at day’s end.

A Club of Legends – Markram’s Entry into History

With this knock, Markram joins an exclusive list of visiting batters who have scored centuries in the fourth innings at Lord’s, the “home of cricket.” The names on this list are nothing short of legendary:

Sir Don Bradman (Australia, 1938)
Gordon Greenidge (West Indies, 1984)
Roy Fredericks (West Indies, 1976)
Michael Clarke (Australia, 2009)
Ajit Agarkar (India, 2002)

To stand alongside such cricketing royalty at such an iconic venue is a testament to Markram’s skill, temperament, and class.

Consistency in the Fourth Innings

This century is Markram’s third fourth-innings ton in Test cricket, placing him among elite company. He now ties with:

Geoff Boycott (England)
Gordon Greenidge (West Indies)
Graham Gooch (England)

He is only surpassed by Sunil Gavaskar (India) and Graeme Smith (South Africa), both with four fourth innings centuries. This reliability in the toughest innings of Test matches is an obvious indicator of Markram’s determination and mental toughness.

All-Round Brilliance in the Test

Markram’s contributions with the bat did not limit him to influence upon on-field outcomes. He also bowled two important wickets in Australia’s second innings, illustrating his all-round ability. Markram joins other South African greats in an exclusive group with taking a wicket and scoring a century in the same Test in England.

Bruce Mitchell (The Oval, 1935)
Graeme Pollock (Trent Bridge, 1965)
Jacques Kallis (Old Trafford, 1998 & The Oval, 2012)

Captain Courageous – Bavuma’s Role

Temba Bavuma, despite the handicap of a hamstring injury, played a gutsy and inspiring innings of 65 runs*. The spirit and courage shown by Bavuma and the flair demonstrated by Markram propelled the Saffas to the brink of clinching their first ICC title.

The partnership built by Markram and Bavuma was based upon trust, patience, and strategic ingenuity. Where Bavuma was resolute, Markram was mercurial, eventually eclipsing one of the strongest bowling attacks in world cricket.

How the Match Unfolded

Australia First Innings: 212. South Africa (Kagiso Rabada), 59 runs, 4 wickets.
South Africa First Innings: 138 all out and 74 runs behind.
Australia Second Innings: 152/9, but Mitchell Starc’s heroic effort of 58 not out pushed Australia to 207.
Target set: South Africa needed 282 runs to win the WTC Final.
SA Second Innings (Session 2): Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder struck a half-century partnership and were 94/2 at tea.
Bavuma and Markram Partnership: Skipper Bavuma (in spite of a hamstring injury) and Markram engineered a resilient and unbroken partnership.
Close of Day Score: South Africa were 213/2 with Markram 102* and Bavuma 65*, with only 69 runs needed for their first ICC title.

A Win in Sight – South Africa on the Brink

On this last day, South Africa is just 69 runs away from a historic ICC title. If they can get there, this will be the first ICC championship in South African history, a prize they have chased for decades.

The hopes of a whole nation now lie with Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. Their partnership has revitalized dreams for the Proteas and restored belief for South African cricket.

Reactions and Tributes

Social media and the cricketing world have taken a storm of excitement and admiration for Markram’s heroics. Former cricketers, pundits and fans all called it one of the greatest fourth innings performances we have seen in recent years.

Legendary South African cricketers Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith even lauded the composure and resolve that Markram showed on the field at Lord’s.

Conclusion: Markram’s Moment of Glory

In a career already full of milestones, this innings could be Aiden Markram’s career-defining innings. While to score a century at Lord’s is special in itself, to do it in an ICC final while chasing a total in a high-pressure fourth innings, with batters at the other end finding it so challenging – that stuff is legendary.

Markram has gone from joining Sir Don Bradman in the elusive Lord’s fourth innings club to leading his country closer to ICC glory.

It all comes down to the final moments of this match to decide the title, but regardless of what happens next, Aiden Markram’s name will live long at Lord’s.