Markram hoping 2025 trend continues as Proteas plot WTC25 glory

Int'l Cricket Council

2 days ago

Key South Africa batter Aiden Markram hopes a run of sporting trophy droughts broken in 2025 rings true at the World Test Championship 2025 Final, with the Proteas taking on defending champions Australia from June 11.
In the cricket world, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally tasted men's IPL success, beating Punjab Kings in the tournament final, while in football, Paris Saint Germain lifted the UEFA Champions League earlier this month for the first time.
While Markram acknowledges it hasn't been a storyline taken on by the Proteas looking to finally break their duck, the right-hander hopes it may just be an omen for his team.
"(There's) not much chat along those lines in terms of watching the other events, but hopefully that trend can continue," Markram told ICC Digital ahead of the Final.
"Obviously we've been chasing it now for many years as a squad.
"Across all formats, we've probably improved slightly throughout and had sniffs to win it. If we can get ourselves into a position over the five days of the Test match to win, we'll push really hard for that."
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South Africa have been in the mix across formats at ICC events in recent years, reaching the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final last year, falling at the final hurdle to India.
The side also reached the semi-final stage at both the 2023 Cricket World Cup and 2025 Champions Trophy, and come into the Lord's finale having topped the table.
Giving insight into South Africa's mindset, Markram says each player has received clear instructions in their pursuit of the mace.
"I think it's the collective decision for each guy to bring their best skill. It's going to be a tough game.
"It's a Test match, of course, against Australia and a Dukes ball, Lord's, all those sorts of things, but ultimately, the guys have a skillset that have got them here, got them selected, throughout the cycle performed as well, doing those skills.
"So it's about backing that, our best skill versus their (Australia's) best skill, and we'll see where it lands us at the end of the day."
Australia stand as imposing opponents, coming in as defending champions and sealing their Final spot after a series win over giants India on home soil.
The Proteas fell 2-0 to the Aussies on tour in the 2021-2023 cycle, though Markram believes there is little he and his side haven't seen from their opponents.
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"We pretty much know what the Australians are all about and their skill levels, their characters and all those sorts of things.
"It's always a challenge that we get really excited for and we generally get up for it and look forward to it. I've got no doubt this time it'll be any different."
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"The energies have been good, obviously lots of excitement in the air for the time being.
"(I'm) sure when we get a bit closer to the game or a few nerves will start kicking in."
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