Latest news with #AidenMarkram
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Refreshed Aiden Markram ready to tap into Shukri Conrad's white-ball competitive edge
Proteas WTC Final hero Aiden Markram has appreciated the support of the South African public since returning from Lord's. Picture: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix WHEN Aiden Markram faced up to a 10-year-old KFC Mini-Cricketer charging in at the Langa Sports Complex last Friday, it was the first time he had picked up a bat since that fateful Saturday morning at Lord's. It was then that the famous ground rose in unison to applaud the Proteas' World Test Championship final hero all the way the back to the pavilion. Markram could not absorb the gravitas of the occasion at the time, stating "When I get out, I'm always angry. That's me being me". But having now had the opportunity to ''refresh, see friends and family, spend some time in the bush," the 30-year-old views it through a different lens, especially after joining skipper Temba Bavuma on his homecoming parade. "I've been fortunate now to have had a few weeks off and to sit back, reflect on what we've done as a team and achieved after all the recent heartbreaks," Markram said. "Not just recently, but years of getting so close but not getting over the line. It's been really tough, and now that we've been at home and able to see the people of South Africa appreciate pretty much what we've done. "Coming here to Langa, we don't often get the opportunity to connect with people who support us and to be able to celebrate with them. It's been really cool to see the story behind Temba and his family and what the community's done for him and what he's done for the community. "It's nice to experience it in person. I think you get a much better understanding of how things are like here." But as Markram admits, the nature of professional sport is to "crack on to the next game, next series, next tournament" with the Proteas set for a white-ball tour of Australia early next month. Markram will lead a full-strength T20I squad in three T20I's in Darwin and Cairns, while Bavuma will take charge of three further ODIs in Cairns and Mackay. The T20I squad will depart following the Cricket SA Awards evening at Emperor's Palace on Thursday evening. After Rassie van der Dussen led a youthful Proteas T20I side in the recent Tri-Series in Zimbabwe, the tour Down Under will be the coach Shukri Conrad and Markram's first white-ball assignment together. Markram is certainly eager to reconnect with his mentor as they begin preparations for next year's T20 World Cup on the subcontinent. "Looking forward to working with Shuks. Big time! We've come a long way together. I can't even remember when we first met," he said. "We think about the game pretty similarly. Happy to take brave options and brave ideas to make a difference and ultimately to get us our first white-ball trophy now. "Always loved the entertainment side of him, but also he's got a competitive edge that not many people know much about. So, I'm looking forward to tapping into that as well." Part of the new world under Conrad's white-ball leadership is restoring Markram to the top of the order in the shortest format. This tactic will go against the numbers that indicate Markram has been more effective at No 4, averaging 36.11 at a strike-rate of 146.72 compared to 29.28 at 172.26 facing the new ball, but Conrad has proven before that his gut-feeling is often the deciding factor. Equally, Markram's strike-rate of 172.26 as an opener, could potentially have a bigger impact on the outcome. "Whatever Shuks wants me to do, I'll do," he said candidly. "We'll sort of plug the holes and see where we've got proper ability and I'm happy to fit in around that. Wherever it might be, if it's at the top, obviously look forward to it. "If you can do it in red-ball, I don't think you're running away from it in white-ball cricket where it's probably one of the nicer places to bat. "So, if that weren't to happen, yeah, I'd look forward to something like that," Markram concluded.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
'KL Rahul took his little notebook out': Nasser's IPL 2025 chat reveals secret to India star's domination in England
The Pretoria Capitals will lead the auction for the SA20 league's fourth edition with the largest budget of USD 1.8 million. All six franchises have finalized their retained players and wildcard signings, totaling a combined purse of USD 7.4 million for 84 slots in the September 9 auction. Notable South African players available include Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
‘Ben Stokes good but Ravindra Jadeja far better. He's well ahead': Kapil Dev shuts best all-rounder debate
The Pretoria Capitals will lead the auction for the SA20 league's fourth edition with the largest budget of USD 1.8 million. All six franchises have finalized their retained players and wildcard signings, totaling a combined purse of USD 7.4 million for 84 slots in the September 9 auction. Notable South African players available include Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ashwin attacked on social media for criticising England captain Ben Stokes; India great responds in style
The Pretoria Capitals will lead the auction for the SA20 league's fourth edition with the largest budget of USD 1.8 million. All six franchises have finalized their retained players and wildcard signings, totaling a combined purse of USD 7.4 million for 84 slots in the September 9 auction. Notable South African players available include Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock.
The Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Proteas coach Conrad goes out with the old and in with the new
'Unfortunately, for Reeza, this is how it has fallen; the other guys give us better options.' Conrad explained the rationale behind the non-selection of Van der Dussen for the ODIs. 'The immediate focus is the T20 World Cup. Rassie is very much in contention for the T20 World Cup. He gives you the option of either batting at the top or batting at three. He's great in a leadership position. 'With the 50-over format, because I've got a bit more time, I'm certainly not going to rule Rassie or any of the older guys out. But because we've got time until 2027, it gives me a chance to blood some of the younger players and then see how they develop. 'And then post the T20 World Cup, we'll probably be in a better position to decide on guys like Rassie and David,' he said. Proteas squads T20: Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Rassie van der Dussen ODI: Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen. Daily Dispatch
