Markram Leads South Africa to Historic ICC World Test Championship Triumph at Lord’s

LONDON, June 2025
In a moment that will forever be etched in South African cricket history, Aiden Markram played the innings of his life to guide the Proteas to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship 2025 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Chasing a tricky target of 282 runs, South Africa showed remarkable composure on the final day, finishing at 282/5, thanks largely to a magnificent unbeaten century from Markram, who stood tall amidst the pressure to script one of the nation’s greatest cricketing victories.

A Battle of Grit and Determination
The match was a classic Test encounter a low-scoring, hard-fought battle between two evenly matched sides. Australia batted first and posted 212, with Mitchell Starc and Travis Head chipping in, but South Africa’s pacers particularly Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen kept the Aussies in check.

In reply, South Africa managed just 138, with Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood wreaking havoc, giving Australia a crucial first-innings lead. However, the Proteas bowlers came storming back, bundling Australia out for 207 in their second innings, setting up a fourth-innings chase of 282, a daunting task on a fifth-day pitch.

Markram’s Moment of Glory
Enter Aiden Markram. With wickets falling around him and the scoreboard pressure rising, Markram held the innings together with poise, precision, and panache. His unbeaten 138 will go down as one of the finest innings ever played in a Test final – a blend of resilience and flair that anchored the chase and kept South Africa’s dream alive.

Supported by Temba Bavuma and later Heinrich Klaasen, Markram ensured the Proteas crossed the line, clinching victory by 5 wickets and ending decades of heartbreak in ICC tournaments.

A New Dawn for South African Cricket
This win not only brings home South Africa’s first ICC World Test Championship title, but it also breaks a long-standing drought of major ICC trophies, last won in 1998. Under Bavuma’s captaincy and with heroes like Markram, Rabada, and Jansen stepping up, this generation of South African cricketers has delivered where so many before them narrowly missed.

As the Proteas lifted the Test mace at Lord’s, the message was clear: South Africa is not just a powerhouse in potential – it is now a proven champion in the toughest format of the game.

Match Summary:
Australia: 212 & 207
South Africa: 138 & 282/5
Result: South Africa won by 5 wickets
Player of the Match: Aiden Markram (138* in 4th innings)