SA opener Markram gains big after all-round show during WTC Final
Markram’s contributions weren’t limited to the bat, as his two crucial wickets also earned him a remarkable 44-place jump in the all-rounder rankings.
Markram’s contributions weren’t limited to the bat, as his two crucial wickets also earned him a remarkable 44-place jump in the all-rounder rankings.
Australia legend Ricky Ponting rated Aiden Markram’s 136 in the recently-concluded ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final as one of the very best batting performances on the biggest stage.
Speaking to ICC Digital, Ponting was full of praise for the South African duo and made a telling comparison between Rabada’s mastery of Lord’s conditions and McGrath’s famed success at the historic venue.
South Africa's pace attack will be led by Rabada along with Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen, while Australia boast the experienced pace trio of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
The scars of June 17, 1999 could still haunt South Africans across generations. Exactly 26 years ago, what promised to be a triumphant march to their first-ever World Cup final turned into a collective nightmare after a narrow one-run loss to Australia in Birmingham.
The seasoned left-hander has been a constant presence at the top of Australia’s Test batting order throughout the WTC cycle.
However, despite all his credentials, the 36-year-old is still in the dark about his place in the Playing XI for the WTC final against the Proteas.
The losing finalists, too, will earn more than the earlier top prize money, assured of more than $2.1 million this time. The winners of the previous two editions won $1.6 million, while the losing finalists got $800,000.
Skipper Pat Cummins, experienced quick Josh Hazlewood, and all-rounder Cameron Green are among the inclusions as defending champions Australia announced a full-strength squad for the ICC World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s, starting June 11.
One aspect that often raises questions among cricket enthusiasts is the consistent hosting of the WTC final in England.
