From SA20 fun to T20 World Cup prep: Proteas get back into the groove against the Windies

A month ago, Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram instructed his national teammates to “have as much fun as you can” in the Betway SA20. 

But now that South Africa’s premier domestic T20 competition has come to a thrilling conclusion at Newlands on Sunday, with Markram’s former team, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, claiming their third title in four seasons, the time for serious business has arrived. 

The Proteas face the West Indies in the first of three T20Is in Paarl on Tuesday followed by a second in Centurion on Thursday before wrapping up their ICC T20 World Cup preparations with the inaugural “Pink T20I” at the Wanderers on Saturday. 

“Yeah, it's exciting, the boys are still coming in drips and drabs at the moment, so I think it'll be good once we're all connected and we're all together. We'll most likely only be in Joburg, but it's nice to link up before you get on a plane and go,” Markram said on Monday.

“I think there's a bit of a positive in doing it that way, so a nice series to get back into the groove of things. Obviously, it is a bit different to SA20, but I feel like everyone's in a really good space, informal conversations in the buses and stuff, and everyone's sort of feeling that same good energy that the guys are in a good space.”

Although the Proteas have had to deal with an injury to Donovan Ferreira and Tony de Zorzi not meeting the fitness regulations to be ready for the Windies series and the subsequent trip to the T20 World Cup next month, there have been plenty of positives to take from the last couple of weeks of SA20. 

Markram, himself, discovered some sublime form during the latter stages of the competition, Ryan Rickelton finished as the top-scorer and Tristan Stubbs led the Sunrisers over the line with a clutch undefeated half-century under pressure in the final. 

“Yeah, quite a few of the guys have done well, and are showing some really good signs,” Markram said. “So, you'd much rather be in that space as a team than maybe sitting with a few guys that have been struggling, so we're blessed that the boys are looking really good, and I can take that confidence now to India.” 

Markram will have to do without the Sunrisers’ winning trio of Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen and Stubbs for the series opener at Boland Park with Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Eathan Bosch called up as cover for the first T20I.

David Miller is also not available after suffering an adductor muscle injury during SA20 with his availability for the T20 World Cup subject to the outcome of a fitness test.

Whilst it is disruptive to the team’s desire to begin role clarification ahead of departure for the T20 World Cup, Markram fully understands the need for players to have some much-needed downtime ahead of the showpiece. 

“Yeah, it'll be tough. I think you just have to obviously manage where each guy is at as well, so some guys play literally last night (Sunday), and you don't want to risk them running out tomorrow (Tuesday),” he said.

“For example, if they feel the need to rest, some guys are keen to play, and then by all means, they're on the park and they're involved, but we kind of have an understanding of where each guy fits in and how it all affects the rest. So combinations, I think, we’re fine. It's now just trying to get them exposed to that role and time in the middle of doing what's needed of them in that role.”

Markram also stressed that whilst the Windies series is essential preparation for the T20 World Cup, there is nothing like winning to build confidence ahead of a major tournament.

“You do have to understand where we're at currently and what's to come, and try and get guys in a series like this where hopefully in the World Cup they find themselves playing similar role,” Markram said.

“But yeah, you want to win. I'll always be a captain that wants to win. Been through a lot of bilateral series where we've lost, and it's incredibly frustrating.”

PROTEAS SQUAD FOR FIRST T20I AT BOLAND PARK

Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Eathan Bosch (Dolphins), Dewald Brevis, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith

Start: 6pm