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 position against 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 just 69 more runs to secure their first ICC trophy in 27 years.Markram scored an unbeaten 102 with 11 fours, bringing up his eighth Test century in the day’s penultimate over with a flick through 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 recent batting struggles.“We certainly know he is someone for the big occasion, of that there is no doubt,” Prince said. “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 began with Australia at 144 for eight, and despite Kagiso Rabada dismissing Nathan Lyon early, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood’s last-wicket partnership of 59 runs extended Australia’s innings through the morning session.South Africa’s run chase started with an early setback when Mitchell Starc removed Ryan Rickelton for six. However, Markram and Wiaan Mulder steadied the innings with a 63-run partnership before Mulder fell for 27 to a sharp catch by Marnus Labuschagne.Steve Smith dropped Bavuma when he was on two runs and dislocated his finger in the process, forcing him to leave the field for hospital treatment.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Prince praised coach Shukri Conrad’s calm approach to the crucial chase.“I think Shukri Conrad deserves credit for staying calm; it is one of his strengths,” Prince said. “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 suffering a hamstring injury during the afternoon session, Bavuma continued his innings, hitting five boundaries in his 121-ball stay 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 emphasized the team’s collective strength 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 said.South Africa’s last ICC trophy came in 1998 when they won the Champions Trophy. They now stand just 69 runs away from adding another major title to their collection.Australia finished their second innings at 207, with Mitchell Starc top-scoring at 58 not out and Alex Carey contributing 43. Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/59.
