Latest news with #Markram
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Business Standard
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Standard
It's our collective dream to lift the WTC 2025 trophy: Aiden Markram
As South Africa prepares to face Australia in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final at Lord's on 11 June, batter Aiden Markram has spoken about the team's burning desire to end their long wait for a major ICC title. He described the upcoming contest as a shared goal that the squad has been building towards over the past few years, calling it a collective dream to finally lift the Test mace. While recent sporting triumphs—from RCB's maiden IPL title to PSG's UEFA Champions League win—have sparked hopes of an underdog wave, Markram noted that the Proteas haven't consciously discussed those stories in the dressing room. However, he admitted that he personally hopes such a pattern continues, allowing South Africa to join the list of first-time winners this year. Steady rise fuels belief South Africa enters the WTC Final after a consistent run across formats. Markram pointed out that the team had shown steady progress, with several near-misses in recent ICC tournaments. He highlighted how the side had reached the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup and semi-finals in the last ODI World Cup and Champions Trophy, which reflects their upward trajectory. He emphasised that every player in the squad had been given clear instructions and that the coaching group was encouraging individuals to trust the skills that earned them selection over the two-year WTC cycle. Australia challenge well understood Facing the defending champions won't be easy, but Markram said South Africa knew what to expect from Australia—both in terms of skill level and competitive intensity. He shared that matches against Australia always brought out the best in his team, and this final would be no different. Calm before the storm The Proteas have been preparing in Arundel with a warm-up match against Zimbabwe before moving to London. Markram shared that the atmosphere in camp remained positive and energised, even as anticipation for the final built steadily. He remarked that nerves would come as the game approached, but the squad was ready for the challenge and united by a singular mission—to win South Africa's first-ever WTC crown.
NDTV
20 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
In A Year Of Surprise Winners, South Africa Aims To End Trophy Drought In WTC Final
South Africa batter Aiden Markram hopes a run for underdogs continues in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, according to the ICC website. 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 acknowledged 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," Aiden Markram said. "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." South Africa has been in the mix across formats at ICC events in recent years. Last year, it reached the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final but fell 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 came into the Lord's final having topped the table. Markram gives insight into South Africa's mindset by saying each player has received clear instructions in pursuing 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," he added. "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 stands as an imposing opponent. They are the defending champions and sealed 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. "We pretty much know what the Australians are all about and their skill levels, their characters and all those sorts of things," Markram said. "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." In their quest for victory, the Proteas have set up in Arundel, taking on Zimbabwe in a warm-up match, before travelling to Lord's to join England fast bowling legend Stuart Broad, who comes in as a consultant for the team's fast bowling battery. Markram says vibes in the camp are positive ahead of the Final. "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," Markram said.
Int'l Cricket Council
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
South Africa tune up ahead of the WTC25 Final
Ahead of the all-important Ultimate Test against Australia at Lord's in a week, the South Africa players hit the ground running in a warm-up fixture against Zimbabwe in Arundel. Even as the two African sides feature in the practice game, the South African minds were focussed on the Australian challenge ahead. Speaking on the tussle to follow this contest, opening batter Aiden Markram outlined the Proteas' mindset for the World Test Championship Final. "I think it's the collective decision for each guy to bring their best skill. It's going to be a tough game," Markram told ICC Digital. "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." The first day of the encounter was washed out, but the Proteas got much-needed game practice on Day 2. The South Africa batters got a good workout after the side opted to bat in the warm-up clash. Despite losing Aiden Markram for 13 early in the day, the Proteas batting unit picked it up as half-centuries from Ryan Rickelton, skipper Temba Bavuma, and in-form Tristan Stubbs led them to a formidable total of 313/2, following which they declared their innings. Rickelton (62 off 93), Bavuma (58 off 85) and Stubbs (58 off 120) displayed their class with the bat, with a variety of shots catching eyes as the Proteas aim to go all-out to secure their first ICC trophy since 1998. There were suggestions that the Proteas had zeroed in on Wiaan Mulder as their No. 3 batter, with the player walking out after Markram's loss early in the innings. He added 26 runs during his resolute knock at the crease. As several batters opted to retire hurt not out, as many as nine South Africa batters got an opportunity to feature in the first innings. Walking in at six & seven respectively were Tony de Zorzi and David Bedingham, who contributed with 28 and 23 in Arundel. Following South Africa's declaration at 313/2, Zimbabwe's time with the bat got off to a shaky start with Kagiso Rabada getting rid of Brian Bennett for 15. Rabada and Jansen warmed up quite well with the ball, with the duo sharing the opening eight overs and were looking in fine shape as Zimbabwe concluded the day at 48/1 with Nicholas Welch and Sean Williams on the wicket. With two more days of play left, the Proteas will be vying for more valuable time on the field to fine-tune themselves ahead of the challenge against Australia. Scene set for epic World Test Championship Final South Africa and Australia are ready to battle it out in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's from June 11 2025
India Gazette
21 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
WTC Final 2025: South Africa batter Aiden Markram aims to end SA ICC trophy drought
New Delhi [India] June 5 (ANI): In their quest to finally break South Africa's ICC trophy drought, South Africa batter Aiden Markram hopes a run for underdogs continues in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, according to the ICC website. 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 acknowledged 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,' Aiden Markram said. '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.' South Africa has been in the mix across formats at ICC events in recent years. Last year, it reached the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final but fell 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 came into the Lord's final having topped the table. Markram gives insight into South Africa's mindset by saying each player has received clear instructions in pursuing 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,' he added. '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 stands as an imposing opponent. They are the defending champions and sealed 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. 'We pretty much know what the Australians are all about and their skill levels, their characters and all those sorts of things,' Markram said. '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.' In their quest for victory, the Proteas have set up in Arundel, taking on Zimbabwe in a warm-up match, before travelling to Lord's to join England fast bowling legend Stuart Broad, who comes in as a consultant for the team's fast bowling battery. Markram says vibes in the camp are positive ahead of the Final. '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,' Markram said. (ANI)
Int'l Cricket Council
a day ago
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Markram hoping 2025 trend continues as Proteas plot WTC25 glory
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." Keshav Maharaj proud of South Africa's Test resurgence | WTC25 Final Keshav Maharaj hails South Africa's recent rise in Test cricket heading into the World Test Championship Final against Australia. 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. Ryan Rickelton primed for Lord's decider | WTC25 Final The South Africa batter is full of confidence and ready to put his best foot forward in the one-off Test against Australia at Lord's "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." Ricky Ponting picks his Australia XI for the World Test Championship Final The former Australia captain names the squad he believes should take on South Africa in the WTC Final. "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." Maharaj hails Klaasen's South Africa service | WTC25 Final With Heinrich Klaasen announcing his international retirement, teammate Keshav Maharaj salute's the wicket-keeper/batter's work. ICC World Test Championship Final, 2025NewsAiden Markram
