More strokes of genius needed from Markram the opener
Like Walter did in bilateral series Conrad is also using series in Australia, England, Pakistan and India to assess combinations and individuals with an eye on the next ICC event.
The Australia series is the first where the Proteas are able to pick their household names like Markram and Kagiso Rabada, but it has been the performances of young guns like Kwena Maphaka and Dewald Brevis that have garnered the most attention.
Maphaka is the leading wicket-taker in the series with seven victims, bowling with good pace and an attitude that illustrates his self-belief and fearlessness.
Brevis' record-breaking 125 not out in the second match was in keeping with Conrad's 'state of genius' ploy — and also an innings that stamped his ticket for the World Cup.
'He made all us batters look good and it will be a nice challenge for the batters to hopefully click (as a unit) on Saturday,' said Markram.
It is the captain who is most in need of a long stay at the crease.
Markram has looked in very good touch in two innings, with 26 of his 30 runs in the series coming in boundaries. Yet it's that he's produced such elegant shotmaking that will be irritating him too.
Much like Conrad said of Brevis, Markram needs to entertain for longer.
Before facing Australia, Markram had only opened the innings once in the past four years, with positions three and four the preferred spots for him in the batting order under previous coaching regimes.
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