Knockout trophy

ICC World Test Championship: After South Africa ended 27 years of knockouts hoodoo in senior tournaments with a five-wicket win over Australia at Lord’s to win the 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC), opener Aiden Markram said winning the mace through his match-winning knock has made for one of the most special days.

Markram’s majestic 136 in the second innings after bagging a duck in the first innings, led the way for South Africa to chase down 282 on day four’s play and lift the ICC WTC mace for the first time and end a trophy drought stretching back to the 1998 Champions Trophy (previously known as the Knockout Trophy).

“Haven't scored more important runs. Weird how things worked out after a duck in the first innings. Need a bit of luck, spent some time in the middle and find runs, glad things worked out. Reception will stick out. Lord's is the place every Test cricketer wants to play. To play a final here is incredibly special. Plenty of SA fans who've made through, plenty at home too, it's one of the most special days,” said Markram in the post-match presentation ceremony.