Markram Backed For Strong Comeback: 'Couple Of Games Away From Unlocking That State Of Genius'
South Africa coach Shukri Conrad expressed confidence in skipper Aiden Markram, believing he is close to reaching a 'state of genius" and achieving exceptional performance levels with just a few more games. Markram, who has gone 31 innings without a T20I half-century, scored only 31 runs in three matches during the recent T20 series against Australia.
In a thrilling final over, Australia clinched victory in a closely contested series-decider in Cairns, with Glenn Maxwell's unbeaten 62 runs off 36 deliveries propelling the hosts over the line on the penultimate delivery. This victory secured a 2-1 series win for Australia over South Africa. Maxwell's performance earned him the Player of the Match award, while Tim David, with 150 runs in three matches, was named Player of the Series.
'I know it's a different format, but in the World Test Championship final not so long ago, Aiden showed exactly what he is about. And I'm sure he is a couple of games away from unlocking that state of genius," Shukri Conrad was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Conrad acknowledged that South Africa was 'a batter light" but suggested that if the players showed more self-confidence, it could benefit the Proteas.
'If we want to be brave, we have got to select attacks to beat a team like Australia and if I can nudge a batting unit into playing a certain way where we are a batter light and I concede we were a batter light, imagine what they can do when we have got a properly balanced side," he added.
With the series level at 1-1 after Proteas Dewald Brevis' stunning maiden century in the second T20I and a clinical bowling effort leading Australia to victory in the first game, the home side was tasked with chasing down 173 to claim the series.
Australia and South Africa will next face off in a three-match ODI series starting Tuesday, 19 August in Cairns.
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