Aiden Markram’s century proved crucial in South Africa’s five-wicket win over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s on Saturday. With this win, the Proteas exorcised decades of heartbreak, winning their maiden WTC title and securing their first global trophy in 27 years.

Chasing a target of 282, South Africa reached the finish line at 282/5 during the first session on Day 4. Markram, who anchored the chase with a magnificent 136, fell with just six runs left, but by then, the victory was all but secured. His composed and elegant knock was the backbone of a pursuit that will be etched in South African cricket folklore.

The win carries immense historical weight. South Africa had long been branded as perennial underachievers on the world stage, with their last major ICC triumph dating back to the 1998 ICC KnockOut, led by Hansie Cronje. Since then, their journey has been punctuated by heartbreaks and missed opportunities, until now.