The Proteas cause of developing depth has not been helped by the fact that Aiden Markram has struggled for form, especially in the shortest format. Photo: BackpagePix
The Proteas will be looking to their captain Aiden Markram to lead by example when the three-match T20 series gets under way against Ireland in Abu Dhabi today (5.30pm start).
Markram struck a semblance of form with an unbeaten half-century against Afghanistan in the final ODI in Sharjah last week to stem a sequence of six consecutive defeats for the Proteas across the two white-ball formats.
Bar the despairing T20 World Cup final defeat against India in Barbados, the SA teams that featured in the five other reversals were primarily makeshift teams as white-ball coach Rob Walter has attempted to broaden the depth in the squad beyond the first-choice XI.
Thus far, it has proved to be a desperate exercise, with the fringe players yet to take their opportunities and stake a claim to push the established regulars.
The cause has not been helped by the fact that skipper Markram has struggled for form too, especially in the shortest format.
The 29-year-old has not scored a T20I half-century stretching back two T20 World Cups against India in Perth in 2022.
From a team development perspective, it is imperative that the right-hander does get among the runs sooner rather than later to lessen the pressure on the newbies, who are still trying to cope with the demands of the international game.
“I’ve always wanted to be a captain that leads from the front, and that comes through performance,” Markram said from Abu Dhabi yesterday.
“Every time when I go out to bat, I want to score runs and win games for the team. I don’t think anything changes from there.
“But we understand the nature of the beast. Like I’ve said many times before, the prep has been good.
“Fortunately, I feel like the prep has gone well. We’ll see how it goes, but I’ll definitely be pushing to put in big performances to help the team win.”
The Proteas Men have landed in Abu Dhabi 🚎🇿🇦
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 25, 2024
An epic battle against Ireland awaits 🌍🏏🔥 Prepare for thrilling T20I and ODI action as our team brings the fire to the desert! #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/t5Ue8slAos
The onus should, however, not rest squarely on Markram’s shoulders to arrest this slide of defeats.
Incoming batters such as Ryan Rickelton and Matthew Breetzke, who was overlooked for the series in the Caribbean, have shown plenty of potential in the SA20 and other T20 leagues around the world.
Rickelton was the top run-scorer in last season’s SA20, and backed it up in Major League Cricket in the US.
Breetzke was also a standout SA20 performer before continuing that form in England’s T20 Blast, where he was one of the competition’s top batters.
The three-match series against Ireland is an ideal opportunity for both players to take their game to the next level.
“I think if you look at the SA20, the guys that are here now do really well at SA20,” Markram said.
“I personally feel that the standard of SA20 is really high. The guys have the ability, and they have shown at.
“So, there’s a few guys that deserve to be here firstly, and deserve to have that opportunity to grow their games as cricketers and get exposed to international cricket.
“And hopefully if they get a fair opportunity and feel really comfortable in the environment, they can start putting in some nice performances for the team.”
Locked In & Ready! 🔥
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 26, 2024
The Proteas Men are hard at work in the Abu Dhabi heat ☀️ as they gear up for their first T20I clash against Ireland!
🗓️: 27 September
⏰: 17h30
🏟️: Sheik Zayed Cricket Stadium
📺: Supersport#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/wi1yDkq7l4
Having been based in the United Arab Emirates and played a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in Sharjah already, Markram is hoping this will give his team a slight advantage when the face the Irish at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in nearby Abu Dhabi today.
“You would think it would be relatively similar, but after two days of training, I have found it slightly different,” Markram said.
“In terms of the heat and humidity, it’s obviously been great to get out here earlier to be exposed to as it now feels a little bit more normal. even though it’s really hot.
“I think there’s definitely a few learnings we can take from the previous series from a conditions side and try to implement in this following series to come.”
Proteas T20 Squad
Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandré Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams.
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