Markram set to open the batting in the 2026 T20 World Cup

PROTEAS T20I captain Aiden Markram confirmed that he will continue to play as an opening batter through to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

In the shortest format of the game, the 30-year-old had been playing as a middle-order batter for the two years that former coach Rob Walter had been in charge, despite having started his career as an opening batter.

The ongoing series against Australia is the first in which the right-handed batter has returned to opening batting for South Africa, a decision that all-format coach Shukri Conrad has made since taking over the T20I and ODI teams.

Markram confirmed that the move to the top of the order is not temporary and explained that it is also pushed by the nature of the batters that are currently in the team.

Having been a viable fifth bowling option as well for the past couple of years, the 30-year-old did not confirm whether or not he will continue playing that role, although he finds it exciting. 

"Going through our squads and the players that we've got around, we think probably that's the best fit. We've got some guys in the middle order that are a lot more destructive than myself and we feel probably it's better off for myself and Ricks (ryan Rickelton) to be up top," Markram told the media  on Friday.

"I did it a bit at the IPL, starting to do it now again at international cricket. It's an exciting role. It's always nice to bat in the power play, and the focus is to get the team off to good starts.

"I don't know (if I will bowl as well). It's very much a feel thing. It's quite a daunting task, to be honest. You just see the ball flying nowadays, and you're like, I'm not so sure I really want to be a bowler. But there'll be occasions where you feel like the wicket might be on the slower side or might offer something, and you sort of take that punt.

"But the other way I try to operate is just go on my gut feel, whatever my gut's telling me in the moment, run with that and back that and sort of reflect on what could have been and what should have been possibly after the game."

Speaking to the media for the first time since Dewald Brevis' record-breaking 125 not out in the second T20I in Darwin, the captain praised the youngster's skill and ability.

Markram highlighted that the entertaining nature of Brevis' innings is how the batters in the team are encouraged to approach their innings in the format.

"(It was) special. You struggle to put it into words. You just sort of watch there in awe and find yourself laughing most of the time at the things he does," said Markram.

"So young, I think 22 or 23, and sort of really takes the game on. So it plays the way that we'd like guys to play for South Africa. Obviously, around the world, that's how teams want to play as well. So he's the perfect fit. Just when he comes off, it's really entertaining."

With the first two T20 matches of the series played at the Marrara Stadium in Darwin, where the series was levelled 1-1, the series decider is set to be played in Cairns on Saturday.

The series decider will get underway at 11.15am SAST.