Aiden Markram confident as Proteas target historic WTC final victory over Australia

    South Africa vice-captain Aiden Markram says past disappointments will not weigh on the Proteas when they face Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's this week.

    Aiden Markram acknowledges the crowd Aiden Markram acknowledges the crowd

    The Proteas have endured several heartbreaking moments in major tournaments, most recently in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, where they fell just short against India despite holding a commanding position late in the match.

    Markram, who led South Africa in that T20 final and is one of five players from that squad now part of the red-ball setup, believes the team has moved on.

    "This team is a bit different," Markram said during a press conference at Lord's on Sunday. "The few of us that have been part of previous events have dealt with it, chatted about it, and taken valuable lessons. We've buried it and moved on. Now it's just about the excitement of another opportunity."

    South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma in the Test format, head into the WTC Final with momentum after winning seven consecutive Tests to secure their place in the showpiece match. Many of those wins came in brief two-match series, leaving little room for error - a factor Markram believes has sharpened the team's focus.

    "You can't start slow in a two-Test series," he said. "There's no second dip at it, so we've made sure we hit the ground running."

    The Proteas face a formidable Australian side featuring the likes of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, but Markram is confident in his team's preparation. South Africa's own pace attack, spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada, is expected to play a key role on what is traditionally a seamer-friendly Lord's surface.

    "When you're opening the batting, your job is to get the team off to a good start," Markram said. "Facing our own world-class bowlers in training makes it uncomfortable at times, but it definitely helps us improve as batters."

    For Markram, the setting adds an extra layer of significance. The 30-year-old is no stranger to Lord's but acknowledges the weight of history at the venue - often referred to as the "Home of Cricket."

    "To play a Test match here is special," he said. "And for it to be a final, that's the cherry on top. Just to be in the same dressing room and on the same field as some of the greats of the game is quite a cool thought."

    South Africa will be aiming to win their first ICC Test title in what promises to be a closely contested encounter. The WTC Final begins Wednesday at Lord's.