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"Aiden Markram Was...": SA Batting Coach Reveals Why Temba Bavuma Fought Through Injury

Rajgeeta Yadav

South Africa's star batters Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma [Source: AP Photos]South Africa's star batters Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma [Source: AP Photos]

South Africa are just 69 runs away from winning their first ICC trophy in 27 years. On Day 3 of the WTC 2025 Final, the star duo of Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma gave the team a solid chance to create history by staying unbeaten at the crease.

Markram Urges Bavuma To Stay Despite Injury

But it wasn’t just Australia that Bavuma was fighting, he was also dealing with a hamstring injury in his left leg. He was clearly in pain, struggling to run, but still refused to give up. And a big part of that decision was due to Aiden Markram, who asked Bavuma not to retire hurt.

Speaking to the media after the Day 3 ended, South Africa's batting coach Ashwell Prince shared an interesting story about the star duo. He told reporters, 

 "At tea time, we had to make a big call whether he continues to bat. How it will affect his stroke play, how that might affect Aiden's rhythm, if twos are being turned into one and they can't run the twos or the threes. Both of them were adamant that Temba has got to continue. He wanted to continue." 

Prince added, "Aiden was adamant that the partnership is the key. Obviously, had [Tristan] Stubbs gone in, we would have still had Temba's wicket intact, but you start a new partnership. They were feeling pretty good and they wanted to continue. Aiden was well aware that he'll have to curb his intensity just in terms of running between the wickets to allow Temba to ease his way through it."

Bavuma has been an excellent captain and batsman for South Africa. He was their top scorer in the 2023-25 World Test Championship and played a big part in getting the team to the final. In the first innings of this match, he scored 36 runs. But his best came in the last innings, where despite his injury, he fought hard and scored an unbeaten 65 runs.

The two shared an amazing 143-run partnership that kept South Africa ahead at the end of Day 3. Now, with only 69 runs needed, South Africa are very close to winning their long-awaited ICC trophy and the story will continue on Day 4.