Aiden Markram produced a magnificent century to help South Africa script a historic five-wicket win over Australia to clinch their maiden World Test Championship (WTC) title at Lord’s on Saturday.
After resuming Day 4 on 213/2, the Proteas knocked off the remaining 69 runs in the first session to be crowned the ICC World Test Champions.
With their first-ever WTC title, South Africa claimed their first major ICC trophy in 27 years after winning the 1998 ICC Knockout Trophy.
Earlier in the WTC final, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to field first.
The Proteas bowled out Australia for 212 in their first innings in London. Kagiso Rabada was the wrecker-in-chief with 5/51, while Marco Jansen picked up 3/49. Keshav Maharaj and Markram also chipped in with one scalp each.
Beau Webster (72) and Steve Smith (66) scored fifties for Australia.
In reply, South Africa could only manage 138 in their first innings. David Bedingham (45) and Temba Bavuma (36) were the top-scorers for the Proteas.
Later in the second innings, South Africa bounced back strongly to bundle out Australia for 207.
Rabada once again stole the limelight with the ball with figures of 4/59 in the second innings. Lungi Ngidi bagged 3/38, while Wiaan Mulder, Jansen and Markram contributed with one scalp each.
Chasing a daunting target of 282 in the fourth innings, Markram scored a majestic 136, captain Bavuma led from the front with 66, along with valuable contributions from Mulder (27) and Bedingham (21 not out) to register the second-highest run-chase at Lord’s.
Meanwhile, Markram, who became the third batter to score a century in the World Test Championship Final, was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-defining century.
“Lord's is a place where every Test cricketer wants to play. Plenty of South African fans were there and it was one of those special days,” Markram said after winning the WTC title.
"Tough to have got over the line. A lot of it came from him (Bavuma), he has always led from the front, found a way to score runs and those sort of knocks are something people will remember you for," he added.
