At the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Saturday, June 14, South Africa won by five wickets thanks to a knock by Aiden Markram in the fourth innings of the World Test Championship (WTC) final, leaving Kevin Pietersen speechless. South Africa’s 27-year drought for an ICC title came to an end with this triumph.
Aiden Markram played an innings of a lifetime after being out for a duck in the first innings, but he didn’t let it get to him. He hit 14 fours in his 136-run knock off 207 balls. The hit was crucial in preparing South Africa for the 282-run total they had to reach in the last final session.
Given the circumstances and the pressure he faced after failing to open his account in the first innings, Pietersen stated that although Aiden Markram century was not the most entertaining or offensive by a South African batsman, it was the most significant in the Rainbow Nation’s cricketing history.
“I think this was the best innings a South African batsman has ever played in a Test match. Pietersen told the WTC final broadcasters, “If you look back at South Africa’s Test history, it might not go down as the most attacking or entertaining.”
However, it was remarkable when you consider the pressure, the stage, and the expectation following the first innings’ failure. The pressure to perform when your country is depending on you, whether you’re a bowler or a batter, is tremendous,” Pietersen remarked.
The level of pressure he was under is difficult to even explain: Kevin Pietersen
Given that Aiden Markram had lost his opening partner Ryan Rickelton in the third over of the run-chase, Pietersen struggled to describe the type of pressure Markram would have been under.
“He went on to create something genuinely amazing despite losing (Ryan) Rickelton early. Pietersen stated, “It’s difficult to even describe the kind of pressure he was under.”
In addition to Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, the captain of South Africa, battled through a hamstring ailment to score an incredible 66 runs.
With contributions from David Bedingham, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen, South Africa overcame the reigning champs.
India
