Markram recounts epic Bavuma stand that turned the WTC25 Final

Speaking to reporters after South Africa’s famous win over Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, which secured their first-ever senior men’s title since 1998, Markram looked back at his game-changing stand with skipper Temba Bavuma.

Markram was adjudged Player of the Match for his 136 in the fourth innings, where he received good support from Bavuma, who scored a fighting 66.

Chasing a difficult total of 282 for victory, South Africa were 70/2 when Bavuma joined Markram.

The duo continued the positive work but around the 22nd over mark, Bavuma needed medical attention after he suffered a cramp in his hamstring and was in visible discomfort while running.

With the game in balance, Bavuma’s departure at this stage could have possibly allowed Australia to creep back into the contest. However, what followed was a defiant stay that helped South Africa further their advantage.

“To see his hammy go was obviously worrying. But then we got to tea, and he felt like he could keep going,” Markram described what happened in the dressing room on Day 3.

Despite Bavuma’s injury, his focus remained on giving his best for the team, and Markram, who was on 49 at this stage, ensured that the pair made adjustments for South Africa’s cause.

“He wanted to know from our side, would twos becoming ones affect me, and I said there’s no chance. It’s about partnership, staying out there for long time.

“Getting the ball even softer, even older because then the batting became even easier. And that’s exactly what he did, and he still actually managed to run twos and threes.”

Bavuma’s stay at the crease led to a 147-run stand with Markram, the highest in this Test, to ensure that South Africa were within reach of their goal.

“I think there was a lot of adrenaline there, but also a lot of leadership and character he showed,” Markram spoke about Bavuma’s feat.

“Those numbers are not big but they really make a difference, and that’s what Temba did in this game.”

The win was a big relief for South Africa, who have had several moments of heartbreak after nearly crossing the line in ICC events.

Their inability to get the job done had got the infamous ‘chokers’ tag attached to them, and Markram was more than happy to see that label go.

“Would be great to not hear that anymore,” Markram said.

He added that while South Africa played the game without letting the term hover over their heads, they were more than happy to see the term be put to rest.

“In terms of it motivating you, I mean it’s always the external things that can motivate you, but it’s not your sole purpose for playing. To have got the job done, and to get rid of that, is quite a big thing for this team.”

Discussing about his own stellar performance, Markram stated he had last year’s ICC Men's T20 World Cup in mind, wherein South Africa had nearly clinched the title before falling short to India.

“I thought a lot about T20 World Cup last night, and how I felt after getting out. And I was like I don’t want to sit there again. It gave me a lot of motivation to stay at the crease if I could," Markram said.

To Markram, a triumph in the Ultimate Test was as challenging as it got, because it needed a number of players to deliver over a sustained period.

“All the questions that have been asked in the past [about our ability] are now fortunately answered. The Test one was always going to be, in my opinion, the toughest one. It’s many days of playing very good cricket, whereas in T20I or even ODI cricket you really need one person to put their hand up," he said.

“It was always going to be a full sort of team effort to get over the line and guys chipped in exactly when they needed to.”