South Africa’s Aiden Markram produced a superb century to put his side in a strong position at the end of Day 3 in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord’s on Friday, June 13. Chasing 282 for victory, the Proteas closed the day at 213/2, needing just 69 more runs to win, with Markram unbeaten on 102 and captain Temba Bavuma on 65.
Despite battling a hamstring injury, Bavuma showed great grit, but it was Markram who stole the spotlight with a composed and classy innings. The right-hander notched up his third fourth-innings century as an opener in Tests—his eighth overall. With this feat, the 30-year-old has moved into joint-second on the all-time list of openers with the most hundreds in the fourth innings.
Aiden Markram now joins Sutcliffe, Boycott, Greenidge, and Gooch with three fourth-innings tons as an opener—only Gavaskar and Smith have more with four. His previous fourth-innings century was a fighting 108 against Pakistan in 2021, though South Africa lost that match by 95 runs.
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Markram’s Brilliant Century Puts South Africa On Top In WTC Final Day 3
Australia began Day 3 of the WTC 2025 final at Lord’s on 144/8 in their second innings and managed to extend their total to 207. Mitchell Starc played a gritty knock, remaining unbeaten on 58 from 136 deliveries, while Josh Hazlewood chipped in with a patient 17 off 53.
The pair put together a 59-run stand for the final wicket before Markram dismissed Hazlewood just before the lunch break. Set a target of 282, South Africa lost opener Ryan Rickelton early for six, dismissed by Starc. Markram then shared a 61-run partnership with Wiaan Mulder (27), who was also taken out by Starc.
Captain Temba Bavuma joined Markram at the crease, and together they stitched an unbroken 143-run stand by the end of the day. Both batters showed remarkable composure and resilience to nullify the Australian bowling attack.
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