Known for his strict nature, Jennings earned the nickname ‘Headmaster’ during his tenure coaching South Africa at various levels.
His remarkable ability to identify talent was clearly evident when he chose to promote Markram, who had primarily batted in the 3-4 spots in age group matches, to an opener during the 2014 U19 World Cup, which ultimately became Markram’s stepping stone to the top.
From early on, he was destined for greatness in first-class cricket, as Jennings informed him while elevating him in the batting order.
However, Markram’s path in red-ball cricket was far from smooth sailing, despite impressive scores of 97, 143, and 125 in his initial four innings.
His statistics leading up to the WTC Final tell a story — 2857 runs from 45 Tests, with an average of 35.71, featuring seven centuries and 13 fifties.
Indeed, Markram is a complex enigma. He possesses all the traits of an elite batter, with even Virat Kohli once admiring his skillset.
The right-hander showcases a full array of shots, boasts impeccable timing, and exudes a graceful style that distinguishes the elite from the ordinary.
A stunning cover drive that raced to the boundary off Josh Hazlewood at Lord’s during his monumental fourth innings total of 136 off 237 balls against a formidable Australian bowling attack, including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon, underscored his capabilities.
Yet, in the past, he often seemed burdened by his own shortcomings, breaking free only sporadically to deliver brilliant innings, such as a century against India at Newlands, albeit in a losing effort a couple of years ago.
Technical flaws were evident—like his tendency to get stuck in the crease or to play unduly aggressively regardless of pitch conditions, leading to untimely dismissals.
This impeded Markram from achieving the refined balance that characterizes great batters.
Sachin Tendulkar could dismantle any attack at will but also exhibited that zen-like patience to avoid risky off-side shots, steering clear of getting caught in the slips or covers.
At the Home of Cricket, however, Markram finally tapped into that elusive zone after a familiar stumble in the first innings, where he fell for a six-ball duck.
“It’s always one side of the sword — to absorb, but when you look at the wicket and quality of the bowling, you have X amount of balls to face and have to try and maximise scoring off those balls,” Markram stated in the post-match presentation.
To reach that heightened state, the 30-year-old had to fine-tune his technique in this WTC cycle, especially by eliminating the dangerous habit of pushing at the ball away from his body.
This could have been tragic against the Australian pace trio, but at Lord’s, he showcased admirable self-restraint while avoiding the trap of self-destruction.
South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince commented on it.
“He played an unbelievable innings there, where everybody else was really struggling. And he got a hundred on that surface. And so, we know what he’s capable of,” Prince said during the post-day press briefing on Friday.
More than anyone else, Markram understands his own potential and how to unleash it on the cricket field, which will be a significant advantage for South Africa in the months ahead.
It was no coincidence that the SA fans gathered at Lord’s chanted his name with enthusiasm.
“Oh! Aiden Markram trust in me when I say, Oh! Aiden Markram you are the love of my life,” they sang together as SA moved towards a rewarding victory.
This was a contemporary twist on Bob Marley’s iconic Redemption Song, tailored for a player who had finally found his freedom. They recognize that their team and its Golden Boy have rediscovered their shine after years of challenges, together.
