WTC Final: ‘He is someone for the big event’; South Africa batting coach hails Aiden Markram | Cricket News – Times of India

Aiden Markram (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince praised opener Aiden Markram as the “man for the big occasion” after his unbeaten century put the Proteas in a commanding place towards Australia on day three of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025. South Africa, chasing 282 for victory, reached 213 for two at stumps, needing simply 69 extra runs to safe their first ICC trophy in 27 years.Markram scored an unbeaten 102 with 11 fours, mentioning his eighth Test century in the day’s penultimate over with a flick by mid-wicket. He shared the crease with captain Temba Bavuma, who remained not out on 65.Prince revealed {that a} minor technical adjustment helped Markram overcome his latest batting struggles.“We certainly know he is someone for the big occasion, of that there is no doubt,” Prince mentioned. “He has done some technical work, but not a lot. In the last little while, he has had a tendency to push his hands away from his body and cut across the ball, but it was not a big fix, and as soon as he saw a few videos, it was simple.”

The day started with Australia at 144 for eight, and regardless of Kagiso Rabada dismissing Nathan Lyon early, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood’s final-wicket partnership of 59 runs prolonged Australia’s innings by the morning session.South Africa’s run chase began with an early setback when Mitchell Starc eliminated Ryan Rickelton for six. However, Markram and Wiaan Mulder steadied the innings with a 63-run partnership earlier than Mulder fell for 27 to a pointy catch by Marnus Labuschagne.Steve Smith dropped Bavuma when he was on two runs and dislocated his finger in the course of, forcing him to go away the discipline for hospital therapy.Quiz: Who’s that IPL participant?Prince praised coach Shukri Conrad’s calm strategy to the essential chase.“I think Shukri Conrad deserves credit for staying calm; it is one of his strengths,” Prince mentioned. “As soon as Aiden and Temba came up the stairs, he said we need to do the same tonight as we always do, and tomorrow we do the same warm-up. It’s the same processes. We understand the magnitude and what’s at stake, but now we stay calm.”Despite struggling a hamstring harm throughout the afternoon session, Bavuma continued his innings, hitting 5 boundaries in his 121-ball keep at the crease.“It is not done yet, but he has had to fight throughout his career, and this could be a defining moment for his career,” Prince added. “It is the biggest stage in Test cricket. He is tough, Aiden has great respect for Temba, and I think this team’s greatest asset is the unity.”

Prince emphasised the staff’s collective power and spirit.“You only have to look at how they celebrate a wicket to understand that. They are all aware that South Africa have had greater individual players, but they have something special going on in the dressing room, and it helps them drag each other along,” he mentioned.South Africa’s final ICC trophy got here in 1998 after they gained the Champions Trophy. They now stand simply 69 runs away from including one other main title to their assortment.Australia completed their second innings at 207, with Mitchell Starc high-scoring at 58 not out and Alex Carey contributing 43. Kagiso Rabada was the decide of the bowlers with figures of 4/59.