Markram hails Elgar’s influence on his career

South Africa opener Aiden Markram has highlighted the influence Proteas Test captain Dean Elgar has had on his career.

Markram and Elgar have formed a successful partnership at both Test and franchise level, where they regularly bat at the top of the order for the Titans.

Furthermore, the hard-hitting right-hander hailed the recent tour of Pakistan as a major turning point in his career.

In form domestically and abroad

Although South Africa were outplayed in the two-Test series in Pakistan, Markram’s form at the top of the order was one of the few positives for the visitors.

The 26-year-old made a fighting 74 in the first Test in Karachi and followed that up with a sublime 108 in two losing causes.

“Dean took me under his wing when I first came into the franchise and I can’t emphasize enough the influence for good he has had on my career,” Markram said of his partnership with Elgar as reported by IOL.

Upon his return from Pakistan, Markram continued his good run with the bat domestically, scoring an unbeaten 204 against the Knights at Centurion a fortnight ago.

“I learned so much about how to build an innings under difficult circumstances and being prepared to wait for the opportunities,” he said of tour to Pakistan.

“I have taken that forward with me in my return to franchise cricket.

“There were times again last week against the Knights when I just had to bat through difficult periods before picking the run rate up again.”

Markram’s sublime form in franchise cricket has seen him score 781 runs at an average of 97.62 in six matches (10 innings).

Markram the next Barry Richards?

This puts him well on course to reach 1,000 runs in a domestic season, something which the legendary Barry Richards achieved twice, in eight matches.

Between him and the milestone stands a match against the Lions, who could field a full South Africa international attack, led by Kagiso Rabada.

Markram, though, is up for the challenge.

“It is great for franchise cricket to have so many of our top players in action. Coming up against KG [Rabada] will be a huge challenge and, in fact, the Lions will be fielding what amounts to a Test match attack,” he concluded.