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Aiden Markram scripts history with stunning century in World Test Final at Lord’s

Aiden Markram makes history by becoming the first South African to score a century in an ICC final, putting South Africa on the brink of their maiden world title.

Published

11 months ago

June 14, 2025

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Aiden Markram carved his name into cricketing folklore on Friday, becoming the first South African batter to score a century in an ICC tournament final. The right-hander produced a masterclass in batting under pressure, scoring an unbeaten 102 off 159 balls on Day 3 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final 2025 at Lord’s against Australia.

Markram’s gritty innings, featuring 11 boundaries, came during a tense fourth-innings chase of 282. Alongside skipper Temba Bavuma, who is battling a hamstring injury and has contributed a resilient 65*, the duo stitched together an unbroken 100-run stand, pushing South Africa to 213/2 in 56 overs at stumps.

First ICC final century by a South African

In what had been a bowler-dominated contest, Markram’s knock stood tall. He became the first-ever South African to reach triple digits in an ICC tournament final, achieving a milestone that eluded legends like Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers.

This was Markram’s eighth Test century, but its historic significance places it in a different league. It was also his third ton in the fourth innings of a Test match — a feat that puts him on par with legends like Geoff Boycott, Gordon Greenidge, and Graham Gooch. Only Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Smith have managed more fourth-innings centuries in Tests (four each).

Markram joins elite list at Lord’s

With his hundred at the spiritual home of cricket, Markram joined a rare group of visiting batters who have scored fourth-innings centuries at Lord’s. The list includes greats such as Don Bradman, Michael Clarke, Gordon Greenidge, Roy Fredericks, and Ajit Agarkar.

In another all-round effort, Markram also picked up two wickets in the match. This puts him alongside former South African legends Bruce Mitchell, Graeme Pollock, and Jacques Kallis — players who have scored a century and taken a wicket in the same Test in England.

Starc’s resistance sets up tense finale

Earlier in the day, Mitchell Starc’s counter-attacking 58* helped Australia post 207 in their second innings after slumping to 152/9. Starc, who added crucial runs with the tail, extended Australia’s overall lead to 281.

South Africa, who managed just 138 in their first innings, showed great resilience with the bat in the chase. Markram was involved in two vital partnerships — first a half-century stand with Wiaan Mulder, and then the match-defining one with Bavuma.

The Proteas now need just 69 runs with eight wickets in hand to secure their first-ever ICC title, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.

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Cricket news

IPL 2026 playoff race tightens as RCB and CSK feature in key qualification projections

RCB and CSK feature in updated IPL 2026 playoff qualification projections, with Bengaluru at 92.6% and Chennai at 41.7% as the race tightens.

Published

1 day ago

May 14, 2026

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The IPL 2026 playoff race is intensifying as teams move deeper into the league stage, with qualification scenarios highlighting a closely contested battle for the top four spots.

According to recent playoff probability projections reported in media coverage, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) currently hold a strong position with a 92.6% chance of qualifying for the playoffs. Their consistent performances have placed them among the leading contenders for a top-four finish.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK), meanwhile, remain in the mix but face a more challenging path ahead. Their qualification probability stands at 41.7%, meaning the five-time champions will need strong results in their remaining fixtures to stay in contention.

The updated projections underline how competitive the tournament has become, with small changes in form significantly impacting playoff chances at this stage of the league.

While only select team probabilities have been highlighted in the available data, the overall playoff race remains open, with several teams still competing for the remaining qualification spots as the league phase progresses.

The coming matches are expected to play a decisive role in shaping the final top four standings for IPL 2026.

Cricket news

Who is Sahil Parakh? Teenager makes IPL debut for Delhi Capitals vs RCB

Sahil Parakh, an 18-year-old batter from Maharashtra, made his IPL debut for Delhi Capitals against RCB in IPL 2026.

Published

3 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

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Sahil Parakh, an emerging batter from Maharashtra, made his Indian Premier League debut for Delhi Capitals during their 2026 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

The 18-year-old was handed his maiden cap as the franchise made changes to its playing XI, looking to test fresh talent in a crucial stage of the tournament.

Opens innings alongside KL Rahul

Parakh was included as an opening batter and partnered experienced wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul at the top. The move reflected Delhi Capitals’ intent to experiment with their batting combination and give exposure to young players in high-pressure games.

Short stay at the crease

The debut outing did not last long for the youngster, as he was dismissed early in the innings. Despite the brief appearance, the opportunity marked an important milestone in his career.

Promising name from domestic circuit

Parakh is a left-handed batter who has impressed in age-group and domestic cricket, earning attention for his performances at the state level. His selection in the Delhi Capitals squad for IPL 2026 underlines the franchise’s focus on nurturing young talent for the future.

Cricket news

Who is Praful Hinge? Young pacer who made instant impact with match-turning IPL debut spell

Praful Hinge grabbed attention with a three-wicket over on his IPL debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Published

1 month ago

April 14, 2026

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Praful Hinge bowling for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL

Praful Hinge is an emerging Indian fast bowler who grabbed attention after a remarkable debut in the Indian Premier League. Representing Sunrisers Hyderabad, the young pacer made headlines by taking three wickets in a single over, a rare and impactful feat in T20 cricket.

His performance came against Rajasthan Royals, where he turned the game with a decisive spell, announcing his arrival on the big stage.

Domestic cricket background

Hinge hails from Nagpur and has been associated with the Vidarbha cricket team in domestic cricket. Like many cricketers rising through India’s competitive system, his progress at the domestic level paved the way for his IPL opportunity.

While detailed statistics from his domestic career remain limited in public reports, his selection in the IPL reflects recognition of his potential and performances.

Bowling style and strengths

Praful Hinge is a right-arm fast bowler known for:

Maintaining a disciplined line and length
Ability to generate movement off the pitch
Effectiveness in short, impactful spells

His debut spell highlighted composure under pressure, especially in a high-intensity league like the IPL.

Breakthrough IPL moment

Making an immediate impact in the IPL is never easy, but Hinge’s three-wicket over on debut stands out as a defining moment. Performances like these often play a key role in shaping a young cricketer’s early career and gaining attention from teams and selectors.

A promising start

Praful Hinge’s debut has positioned him as a young fast bowler to watch. While it is still early in his career, such impactful performances suggest potential for further opportunities in domestic and franchise cricket.