
How Aiden Markram bore fruit of technical rework in WTC final, batting coach reveals
South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince revealed how Aiden Markram made the technical adjustment before his brilliant century in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025 against Australia. Markram became the first batter to score a century for South Africa in the final of an ICC event as he remained unbeaten on 102* at the end of Day 3 at Lord's.advertisementThe opening batter hit 11 fours in his innings, which has brought South Africa on the verge of a historic win in the summit clash. Following his marvellous knock, Ashwell Prince praised the Proteas star, calling him a man for the big occasion. He also revealed how Markram made a quick technical adjustment heading into the big game and is now reaping the rewards.'Well, we certainly know that he's someone for the big occasion of that there's no doubt. He's done a little bit of technical work, not a lot. I think in the last little while he's just had a little tendency of his hands sort of pushing away from his body, cutting across the wall sometimes. But it wasn't a big fix. As soon as he saw a few videos of himself doing that, it was quite a simple fix,' said Prince in the press conference at the end of the day's play.advertisement
Furthermore, Prince recalled his incredible hundred on a treacherous surface at Newlands, Cape Town against India in 2024. Markram had scored an incredible 106 in a Test match which ended in just two days, where the second-highest score from both teams was 46.'When I talk about his ability to play big innings, albeit in a losing cause at Newlands on a very, very difficult pitch. He played an unbelievable innings there, where everybody else was really struggling. And he got a hundred on that surface. And so, we know what he's capable of,' he added.Markram was well-supported by Temba Bavuma, who also scored an unbeaten 65 and has added 143 runs for the third wicket. Their massive stand has brought South Africa on the verge of history as they finished Day 3 on 213/2, chasing a target of 282. The duo will be eager to continue their marvellous partnership on Day 4 and help South Africa score the remaining 69 runs to end their 25-year-old ICC Trophy drought.The Proteas' only ICC tournament win came way back in 1998, when they won the inaugural edition of the ICC Champions Trophy under the leadership of Hansie Cronje. Hence, captain Temba Bavuma has a great chance to take his team home on Day 4 and etch his name in golden words in South Africa's cricketing history.
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