Aiden Markram’s match-winning century against Australia in the World Test Championship match was hailed as one of the best innings by a South African batter in Tests by former England player Kevin Pietersen. Markram slammed 136 runs off 207 balls in the 4th innings and stitched a rock-solid partnership with captain Temba Bavuma helping the Proteas to a 5-wicket win over Australia on Saturday.
“Probably the best innings any South African batter has ever played in Test match cricket. It might not go down as the most attacking or entertaining if you look back at South Africa’s Test history — but when you factor in the expectation, the stage, and the pressure after failing in the first innings, it was extraordinary,” Pietersen said on JioHotstar.
“Whether you’re a batter or a bowler, when your country is counting on you and you have to deliver — that pressure is immense. He lost Rickelton early, yet still went on to produce something truly magnificent. It’s hard to even describe the kind of pressure he was under,” he added.
Markram had resumed day 4 on 102 and was out for 136 when only six runs from victory. He spent six hours, 23 minutes in the middle. Australia didn’t celebrate his wicket. Instead, players slapped Markram on the back and congratulated him on his match-winning knock as the Lord’s crowd stood and applauded.
“Growing up, Lord’s was the one venue I wanted to play at,” Markram said. “To do it at a final and win is something really special.”
Even teammate Kagiso Rabada was all praises for Markram, hailing his composure and dominance under pressure.
“Aiden is a big-match player. The way he held his ground with such resolve — it was remarkable to watch. His presence, the way he dominated his space, and stuck to his game plan without wavering was just brilliant. You still had to bat really well on that pitch — it wasn’t one where you could afford to be loose. They were setting off-side traps, leg-side traps, but he navigated all of it throughout his innings,” Rabada said.