Markram appointed stand-in skipper

Young Proteas batsman Aiden Markram has had the burden of responsibility thrust upon him with the announcement that he will captain the side in the absence of Faf du Plessis.
Du Plessis suffered a finger injury during the first ODI against India while attempting a diving catch after an edge from Virat Kohli.
Markram led the South Africa under-19s to the World title in 2014 and was named skipper of his franchise the Titans at the onset of the 2017/18 season.
The 23-year-old was also named South Africa A captain on their tour to England in 2017 leading the side in the four-day arena while Khaya Zondo skippered the One-day side.
Markram has impressed in Proteas colours since making his debut in all formats against Bangladesh earlier this season.
He has been earmarked as a potential future captain and with AB de Villiers and du Plessis absent with injury it affords the young man an early taste of the responsibilities of leadership.
Markram will be able to call on the experience of Hashim Amla, himself a former Proteas skipper, as well as seasoned professionals like David Miller, JP Duminy, Farhaan Behardien and Morne Morkel.
Speaking after training on Saturday Markram said: “There were a few nerves this morning before training, but that’s eased out
“It can be intimidating [leading the side].
“But the culture within the team is so good, it allows for a young player to engage with a guy like Hashim Amla, who’s a legend, and that makes it a lot easier for me.
“I’ll keep Hash close to my side on the field. It’s a very new and exciting challenge, but a positive one that I’m looking forward to.”
It seems likely that Markram will also be asked to move up the order to number three to fill the slot previously occupied by Du Plessis with Duminy and Miller to each slide up one place.
Markram should be comfortable with the switch given that he opens the batting in Test cricket and regularly does so in franchise one-day cricket as well.
Alternatively we could see Amla drop down to three and Markram take on the opener role to mirror their Test roles
Zondo and Behardien will then compete for the single remaining batsman’s slot in the XI for the second ODI at Supersport Park.
Markram will lead the side in the five remaining ODIs as well as the three T20Is.
Chief selector Linda Zondi said of the appointment: “Part of the plan is to look at Vision 2019… and part of that is to develop young leaders. In lieu of the post-2019 plans, Aiden fits into that too.”
Latest
-
News
Ollie Pope hits 245 as Surrey take upper-hand over Leicestershire on day three
England batsmen Ollie Pope and Joe Root hit red-ball centuries for their county.
-
News
Mohammad Abbas hat-trick puts Hampshire in command against Middlesex
Lancashire’s Matt Parkinson produced a ball of the century contender against Northamptonshire.
-
News
Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj earn first BCCI contracts
Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, have suffered contract demotions.
-
News
Dom Sibley injury adds to England’s worries with Ben Stokes facing 12 weeks out
Stokes was injured playing in the IPL while Sibley was in County Championship action with Warwickshire.
-
News
Can England cope without talisman Ben Stokes against New Zealand this summer?
All-rounder Stokes faces up to 12 weeks out with a fractured finger.
-
News
Ben Stokes ruled out for up to three months with broken finger
The England all-rounder will have surgery on the injury picked up playing in the Indian Premier League.
-
News
Scott Borthwick hits century as Durham get better of Essex at Chelmsford
Essex fell apart on the opening day of their County Championship clash with Durham.
-
News
Babar Azam wants to top rankings in Test cricket as well
Currently sixth on the Test batting rankings, Babar Azam hopes to change that as soon as possible.
-
News
Cricket Australia announces contracted women’s players for 2021-22
Australia Women will host India and England this summer before heading to New Zealand for the ICC World Cup in March, 2022.
-
News
On this day in 2009: Andy Flower appointed England team director
The former Zimbabwe captain had been in charge on an interim basis since the previous January following Peter Moores’ sacking.