Jennings backs Markram to recover from Sri Lanka horror show
Former South Africa U19 coach Ray Jennings believes Aiden Markram will get through his current lean patch and become a better batsman because of the experience.
After a fabulous start to his Test career, which saw him score four centuries in 12 games, the 23-year-old Markram has had a wretched tour of Sri Lanka with the bat.
The right-hander has been exposed against the home team’s spinners on the slow tracks and has not scored more than 20 in eight innings on tour.
Markram’s lack of runs saw him dropped for the third ODI against Sri Lanka with his replacement Reeza Hendricks hitting a century on debut as the Proteas seal a series win with two games to spare.
Jennings, who was the SA U19 coach when Markram captained the team to World Cup success in 2014, said the player just needs adjust to the pressures of being in his first slump in form.
In quotes published on ESPNCricinfo, Jennings said: “He had a bit of a honeymoon period when he first started in international cricket and this is his first bad patch.
“He needs to come to grips with the pressure that comes with that. He hasn’t ever experienced before what he is going through at the moment.
“When he goes through another bad patch in three or four years time, he will know what to expect.”
Markram was dismissed by veteran Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath in all four innings of the Test series and was then twice removed by Akila Dananjaya in the first two ODIs before he was dropped.
Some may argue that Markram has a technical flaw against spin that needs to be corrected but Jennings feels it is more a mindset problem.
Jennings continued: “Technique is not the only thing. He plays fast bowling better than spin but he has already shown that he has enough technique to perform at this level. Now it’s about mindset.
“Is his mindset tense or relaxed? If it’s relaxed, the feet will move and he will be watching the ball. If it’s tense, the feet can get stuck, there will be a lot of emotions involved.”
Latest
-
NewsSri Lanka close in on England’s lead behind century from Lahiru Thirimanne
Sri Lanka trail by 44 at lunch on day three of the first Test.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day Three: Joe Root at the double but Sri Lanka show grit
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
NewsJack Leach admits there is room for improvement as Sri Lanka frustrate England
Leach and Sam Curran struck for the tourists in the hosts’ second innings.
-
NewsJoe Root’s double century keeps England in command despite rally from Sri Lanka
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
NewsEngland captain Joe Root reaches fine double century before Sri Lanka fight back
Root was the last man out for England after scoring 228 to record a fourth double ton for his country.
-
NewsCaptain Joe Root completes fine double century as England build formidable lead
Root became only the fifth England player to score a Test double hundred in Asia.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day 2: Joe Root excels alongside Dan Lawrence
The England captain and his new team-mate added 173 to build England’s advantage.
-
NewsNine rookies in Pakistan squad for South Africa series
Pakistan have included nine uncapped players in their 20-man squad for the two-Tests against South Africa, starting on January 26.
-
NewsLabuschagne upset after not scoring ‘big’ hundred
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne might have been the star of the show on the first day of the fourth Test against India.
-
NewsJoe Root backs up plea for strong England start with century against Sri Lanka
The skipper had urged his team to impress from the word go and led by example with 168 not out in Galle.