Aiden Markram's Historic Century at Lord's in WTC Final

Markram's Remarkable Achievement
On Friday, Aiden Markram made history at Lord's by scoring a brilliant century during the World Test Championship Final 2025 against Australia. This marked his eighth Test century, making him the third player ever to achieve a century in a WTC Final, following in the footsteps of Steve Smith and Travis Head, who accomplished this feat in 2023 against India.
Crucial Role in South Africa's Chase
Facing a target of 282 runs to secure their first ICC trophy in 27 years, Markram had a significant task ahead. After a disappointing duck in the first innings, he made a stunning comeback in the second. His century helped South Africa reach 213/2 by the end of Day 3, leaving them just 69 runs shy of victory.
Markram's Maiden Century at Lord's
This century was not only Markram's first at Lord's but also his first in England. He spent over four hours at the crease, showcasing a perfect blend of patience and smart shot selection. His performance earned him a spot on the prestigious Lord's Honours Board, a dream for any cricketer. With this achievement, he became the 13th South African player to be honored on the Lord's board.
South African Centurions at Lord's
Player | Vs | No. of Centuries |
Hashim Amla | England | 2 |
Graeme Smith | England | 2 |
Bob Catterall | England | 1 |
Gary Kirsten | England | 1 |
Neil McKenzie | England | 1 |
Roy McLean | England | 1 |
Aiden Markram | Australia | 1 |
Alan Melville | England | 1 |
Bruce Mitchell | England | 1 |
Ashwell Prince | England | 1 |
Jonty Rhodes | England | 1 |
Percy Sherwell | England | 1 |
Kepler Wessels | England | 1 |
Markram's Fourth Innings Performance
At 30 years old, Markram now boasts three centuries in the fourth innings of Test matches, tying him for the second-most by an opener, just behind legends Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Smith, who each have four. Additionally, he has three Test centuries against Australia, highlighting his affinity for playing against this rival.
A Standing Ovation
Once considered a rising star for South Africa, Markram delivered an exceptional performance in one of the most significant matches of his career. The crowd at Lord's honored him with a standing ovation, a testament to the extraordinary nature of his century.