WTC Final: ‘He is someone for a big opportunity’; South Africa Batting Coach Hales Aiden Markram | Cricket news
South African batting coach Ashwell Prince praised opener Aiden Markram as a “man for a big opportunity”, as he put Proteas in a commanding position against Australia in three days of the last 2025 of the ICC World Test Championship after his unbeaten century. South Africa, chasing 282 for victory, reached 213 for two in stumps, requiring just 69 more runs to secure their first ICC Trophy in 27 years.Markram scored an unbeaten 102 runs with 11 fours, which brought out the eighth examination of the day with a fly through the day-wicket of the day. He shared the crease with Captain Temba Bavuma, which did not stay at 65.Prince revealed that a minor technical adjustment helped Markram to remove his recent batting struggles.“We definitely know that he is someone for a big opportunity, there is no doubt,” Prince said. “They have done some technical work, but not much. Last in a short time, there was a tendency to push his hands away from his body and cut beyond the ball, but it was not a big fix, and as soon as he watched some videos, it was simple.”
The day began with Australia for eight o’clock at 144, and Cagiso Rabada extended Australia’s innings through the morning session despite Nathan Leone’s initial, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood’s final wicket partnership.South Africa’s run chase began with an early blow when Mitchell Starc removed Ryan Ryon Ricelton for six. However, Markram and Vian Mulder stabilized the innings with a 63 -run partnership, before Mahnas Labschen fell for a fast catch for Mulder 27.Steve Smith dropped Bavuma when he was on two runs and disliked his finger in the process, forcing him to leave the ground for the treatment of the hospital.Quiz: Who is that IPL player?Rajkumar praised the cool view of coach Shukri Conrad for a quiet approach.“I think Shukri Konrad is entitled to credit for being calm; this is one of his strength,” Prince said. “As soon as Aiden and Temba came on the stairs, they said that we need to do this tonight as we always do, and tomorrow we do the same warm-up. This is the same process. We understand the quantity and what is at stake, but now we remain calm.”Despite suffering from hamstring injury during the afternoon session, Bavuma continued his innings, hitting five borders to stay off 121 balls at the crease.“This hasn’t been done yet, but he has to fight throughout his career, and it could be a decisive moment for his career,” Prince said. “This is the biggest platform in Test cricket. He is difficult, Aiden is very respectful for Temba, and I think this team’s greatest property is unity.”
Prince emphasized the team’s collective strength and spirit.“You only have to see how they celebrate a wicket to understand. They all know that there are more and more individual players in South Africa, but they have something special in the dressing room, and it helps them draw each other,” he said.South Africa’s last ICC Trophy came out in 1998 when he won the Champions Trophy. They now stand just 69 runs away from adding another major title to their collection.Australia completed its second innings in 207, with Mitchell Starc Top-Shkoring 58 Not Out and Alex Kerry contributed 43. Kagiso Rabada was a bowlers’ pick with 4/59 figures.
