Latest news with #Markram
IOL News
13 hours 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.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram decides to throw his name into lucrative SA20 auction
Captain Aiden Markram could not inspire the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to a third SA20 championship after they lost to the MI Cape Town on Saturday at the Wanderers. Photo: Sportzpics Two-time SA20 winning captain Aiden Markram will go under the hammer in the upcoming SA20 auction after the Sunrisers Eastern Cape announced their list of retentions, wildcards and pre-signings, which does not include Markram. Markram led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) to three consecutive SA20 finals, winning the first two editions before going down to MI Cape Town in the previous edition of the competition. The 30-year-old heads into the auction with the chance to play for a different franchise in the fourth edition of the tournament after his heroics for the 'Orange Army'. However, with the SA20 having introduced the Right to Match strategy this season, the Sunrisers Eastern Cape could retain the Proteas T20I captain by matching the winning bid.
News18
17-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
South African Star Batter Named ICC Men's Player Of The Month For June 2025
Last Updated: Aiden Markram was named ICC Player of the Month for June 2025 after leading South Africa to a WTC win. Hayley Matthews won the women's award for her performance. South Africa's World Test Championship (WTC)-winning star batter Aiden Markram has been named as the International Cricket Council (ICC)'s Player of the Month for June 2025. Markram made 136 runs and picked up two wickets to help the Proteas beat Australia at Lord's and end a 27-year wait for a senior ICC trophy. He was awarded the Player of the Match in the final, too. 'It is a privilege to receive this award. To contribute to an ICC World Test Championship win for our team and South Africa is something that means a lot to me," Markram said, as quoted by the ICC. 'Winning the final at Lord's is a historic moment for South African cricket, and it is something we will all remember forever. This victory was only possible due to the combined efforts of the entire team, with crucial contributions from KG (Kagiso Rabada) and Tembs (Proteas captain Temba Bavuma)," he added. Markram overcame he disappointment of a duck in the first innings to anchor South Africa in the big chase of 282 runs. He put up a 147-run stand alongside Bavuma for the third wicket, which helped them recover from 70/2. He got out after a 207-ball marathon but had done enough to escort the Proteas to the brink of victory. Meanwhile, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews took home the award in the women's category. It is her fourth such accolade. Her best performance came in the three-T20I series against South Africa, where here twin 60s helped the Windies overturn a 1-0 deficit. She also won the Player of the Series trophy for it. 'It's an honour to receive the Player of the Month award again. I've been pleased with my form recently, but more importantly, it's been great to contribute to the team's success — especially in a hard-fought T20I series against South Africa," Matthews said about the ICC award in a statement. 'Recognition like this is appreciated, but my focus remains on what's ahead. There's a lot more I want to achieve, both personally and with this team. We're heading in the right direction, and I'm excited about where we can go from here." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Gazette
14-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Jay Shah congratulates ICC Player of the Month award winners for June 2025
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah congratulated South African batter Aiden Markram and West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews for securing the ICC Player of the Month awards for June in men's and women's cricket categories, respectively. South Africa batter Markram and West Indies skipper Matthews were announced as the winners of the ICC Men's and Women's Player of the Month awards for June 2025. Taking to X, Shah wrote, 'Congratulations to Hayley Matthews and Aiden Markram on their @ICC Player of the Month Awards. Aiden's performance to lead South Africa to the #WTC25 title was simply amazing while for Matthews this was her record-equalling fourth POTM Award after a great month with bat and ball.' Markram won the men's award ahead of team-mate Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka for his for Player of the Match effort in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord's. The 30-year-old opener struck a solid 136 off 207 balls and featured in a 147-run third-wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma in a successful chase of 282. The five-wicket victory helped South Africa win an ICC Title for the first time since the Champions Trophy in 1998. Markram also picked up a wicket each in the two innings. Matthews, who has previously won the awards in November 2021, October 2023, and April 2024, edged South Africa's Tazmin Brits and compatriot Afy Fletcher to become only the second player to win the award four times after Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner. The West Indies skipper scored 104 runs in the three ODIs against South Africa, which included a half-century in the third match. She also grabbed four wickets in the series. Her fine run continued in the subsequent 2-1 T20I series win. She was named Player of the Series for her two fifties in an aggregate of 147 runs and two wickets. (ANI)
Malaysia Sun
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Malaysia Sun
Jay Shah congratulates ICC Player of the Month award winners for June 2025
New Delhi [India], July 14 (ANI): The International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah congratulated South African batter Aiden Markram and West Indies all-rounder Hayley Matthews for securing the ICC Player of the Month awards for June in men's and women's cricket categories, respectively. South Africa batter Markram and West Indies skipper Matthews were announced as the winners of the ICC Men's and Women's Player of the Month awards for June 2025. Taking to X, Shah wrote, 'Congratulations to Hayley Matthews and Aiden Markram on their @ICC Player of the Month Awards. Aiden's performance to lead South Africa to the #WTC25 title was simply amazing while for Matthews this was her record-equalling fourth POTM Award after a great month with bat and ball.' Markram won the men's award ahead of team-mate Kagiso Rabada and Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka for his for Player of the Match effort in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord's. The 30-year-old opener struck a solid 136 off 207 balls and featured in a 147-run third-wicket stand with captain Temba Bavuma in a successful chase of 282. The five-wicket victory helped South Africa win an ICC Title for the first time since the Champions Trophy in 1998. Markram also picked up a wicket each in the two innings. Matthews, who has previously won the awards in November 2021, October 2023, and April 2024, edged South Africa's Tazmin Brits and compatriot Afy Fletcher to become only the second player to win the award four times after Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner. The West Indies skipper scored 104 runs in the three ODIs against South Africa, which included a half-century in the third match. She also grabbed four wickets in the series. Her fine run continued in the subsequent 2-1 T20I series win. She was named Player of the Series for her two fifties in an aggregate of 147 runs and two wickets. (ANI)
