GAME DAY | SA V West lndies: Markram gives Proteas T20 batters licence to thrill

Proteas T20 captain Aiden Markram wants his team to break off the shackles when they arrive in India for the ICC T20 World Cup next month. 

The on-going series between India and New Zealand has been a slog-fest with over 400 runs scored in each of the first two matches before the hosts chased down the Black Caps’ 153/9 in just 10 overs at a run-rate of 15.50.

This phenomenal rate of scoring requires not just a huge degree of skill, but also a fearless approach to attack the bowlers from the outset. 

In the past, the Proteas have been somewhat conservative, especially in the opening six-over Powerplay when the fielding restrictions are in place. 

Markram’s men have preferred to build steadily before exploding towards the backend, but he believes that is more conditions-based than the mindset they are trying to cultivate at the Proteas. 

“I think in India you can really take the game on from a batting point of view,” he said ahead of the Proteas first T20I against West Indies at Boland Park in Paarl on Tuesday.

“For us as South Africans, we're still getting there to that level, but I think a lot of it, I mean, you look at the wickets that we play on here, and you can't just come out and tee off because you could get bowled out for 50, as we've seen. 

“So there's a bit more game management required in various sets of conditions, and that's obviously what the boys have been through now, but then going to India, I think you can open up a bit more and free up.”

Markram also stressed that batters won’t be put under any additional pressure in regard to how they construct their innings, as long as the job gets done. 

“The language is, I mean, we all know how T20 cricket, how you meant to play it, but from our side and the management side, it's freedom to do it your way,” he said.

“Whatever you feel the team needs at that moment, you have complete freedom to do that and do it your way. And I think that's how you can get the best out of the players, and the guys have sort of taken that on quite nicely. So, there's no judging from the side.

“Am I doing the right thing? Am I going hard enough? They assess it out there in the middle. What's a good score? And by hook or crook, we must just try and get there.” 

LIKELY TEAMS FOR BOLAND PARK

Proteas: Aiden Markram (capt), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Ryan Rickleton (wk), Dewald Brevis, Rubin Hermann, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. 

West Indies: Brandon King, Johnson Charles Shai Hope (capt, wk), Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales.

Start: 6pm

STAY INFORMED

Follow all the action from the first T20I between the Proteas and West Indies final right here. Return to www.iol.co.za/sport after the final ball for a comprehensive match report, expert analysis, and post-match reactions from both camps.