Local sportSport

Aiden Markram’s captaincy of SA-A team may be an indication of future role in SA cricket

Aiden Markram's leadership role during the SA A team's upcoming tour to India may be an indication that he is earmarked for bigger things in the future.

The South African cricket selectors have probably lifted the veil slightly on their future plans when Aiden Markram was named last week as captain of the four-day squad for the South Africa A tour to India in August and September.

Temba Bavuma was named captain of the one-day squad for the team on the same tour.

The tour consists of five one-day matches to be followed by two four-day matches against India A.

Apart from Markram, three other players from the Titans were also selected for the team. They are Theunis de Bruyn (four-day and one-day teams), while seam bowler Junior Dala and wicketkeeper/batsman Heinrich Klaassen will tour only as part of the one-day team.

“This is one of the most important South Africa A tours we have planned for some time, as it will focus on several important strategic areas. One of these is to broaden our leadership group and we see both Aiden and Temba playing an important role in this regard. We will be looking at other candidates during the course of the new season,” said CSA National Selection Panel convener Linda Zondi when the team was announced.

Zondi also said another strategy behind the composition of the South African A team is the opportunity to give some of their senior batsmen the chance to climatize for the Proteas Test match tour to India in October.

“Of course, we will also want to give opportunity to younger players who have earned their chance through outstanding performance at domestic level,” concluded Zondi.

It’s no surprise that Markram is a strong candidate to probably lead South Africa’s cricket team soon. In 2014 the Pretoria Boys High School Old Boy captained the South African under-19 cricket team to win the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.

In February 2018, when Faf du Plessis was injured, Markram captained the Proteas in a few One Day Internationals (ODI’s) against India. He was only 23 years when he captained the Proteas for the first time. That made him the second youngest player to captain South Africa in an ODI after Graeme Smith.

Although Markram is still only 24 years old, he already has a lot of international experience as a player with 17 Tests, 26 OD’s and two international T20 games behind his name.

 

SA A four-day squad: Aiden Markram (Multiply Titans, capt), Temba Bavuma (bizhub Highveld Lions), Theunis de Bruyn (Multiply Titans), Zubayr Hamza (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Beuran Hendricks (bizhub Highveld Lions), George Linde (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Pieter Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Eddie Moore (Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (bizhub Highveld Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Dane Piedt (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Rudi Second (Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)

SA A one-day squad: Temba Bavuma (bizhub Highveld Lions, capt), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Gihahn Cloete (Warriors), Junior Dala (Multiply Titans), Theunis de Bruyn (Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (bizhub Highveld Lions), Beuran Hendricks (bizhub Highveld Lions), Reeza Hendricks (bizhub Highveld Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Multiply Titans), George Linde (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Janneman Malan (World Sports Betting Cape Cobras), Wiaan Mulder (bizhub Highveld Lions), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Sinethemba Qeshile (Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (Warriors).

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:

Rekord East

Rekord North

Rekord Centurion

Rekord Moot

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram.

 
Back to top button