Aiden Markram gets a standing ovation as he slams Josh Hazlewood for 4 to reach superb 100 in SA vs AUS WTC 2025 final [Watch]

South Africa opener Aiden Markram delivered on the big stage as he slammed a century in the second innings of the WTC 2025 final against Australia at Lord’s in London on Friday, June 13. After perishing for a duck in the first innings, Markram looked all class, completing his redemption by reaching the three-figure mark off 156 deliveries, hitting 11 boundaries. This was his third century in the fourth innings of a Test match and eighth century overall in the red-ball format.

During his clutch knock, Markram has shared a 143-run unbeaten partnership with skipper Temba Bavuma to resurrect them from 70/2 in a 282-run chase.

Markram achieved the milestone in the 55th over of South Africa’s second innings, the second-last over ahead of stumps on Day 3. Josh Hazlewood bowled a fuller ball on middle and leg stump, and the right-hander flicked it wide of mid-wicket for a boundary. He removed his helmet and raised his bat to soak in the applause as his teammates on the balcony and the crowd at the venue gave him a standing ovation. Meanwhile, Markram’s wife looked thrilled as she was hugged and congratulated.

Aiden Markram became the third batter to score a century in a WTC final after Travis Head and Steve Smith (both players hit centuries in the WTC 2023 final against India). The 30-year-old also became the sixth visiting batter to score a fourth-innings ton at Lord’s.

Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma keep SA in the driving seat against Australia in the WTC 2025 final

A clinical batting display from Aiden Markram and Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma helped them stay on top of Australia in the WTC 2025 final.

At Stumps on Day 3, South Africa were 213/2, with Markram and Bavuma batting on 102 (159) and 65 (121), respectively. They need 69 more runs to become the third side to win the WTC trophy after New Zealand (2021) and Australia (2023). On the other hand, the Aussies must take the remaining eight wickets for back-to-back WTC titles.

Interestingly, Bavuma has never lost a Test match as skipper, with a record of eight victories and one draw in nine matches.

Follow the SA vs AUS WTC 2025 final live score and updates here.