“The hunger levels are up there” and it is “about putting performances on the board,” said Proteas opening batsman, Aiden Markram, ahead of the Boxing Day Test match against Sri Lanka, writes Aditya Mehta.
Determined to rectify the result from Sri Lanka’s last tour of South Africa in early 2019, which South Africa unexpectedly lost, Markram said the team had reflected on that series and conceded, “our skills weren’t up to scratch.”
The Proteas are clear that they “don’t want to be chasing the game.” Previously, Markram stated, “we may have started slowly in the past, we have addressed that as a team.”
Asked about the unusual circumstances leading to two South African umpires being assigned for the series, Markram said, “the bigger challenge is playing in front of empty stadiums.” Two local umpires “won’t affect things as much. It is up to us to create intensity.”
Long perceived to be a future Proteas captain, Markram explained, “I really enjoy doing it, but haven’t really focused on it.” At present, his concentration is directed at “playing for my spot again” and stated emphatically, “I need to score a lot of runs for the country.”
Known to be an aggressive opening batsman, the balance between attacking and defending, Markram said, “comes down to game plan and how long you can do it for.” He clarified, “I will always look to be positive, but you also have to see what conditions allow you to do.”
Current Sri Lankan and former South African coach, Mickey Arthur, was bullish about the Sri Lankan pace attack’s chances against the South Africa batting lineup. Markram responded, “we’ve been fortunate to have faced a lot of their guys. It is going to be a challenge between bat and ball.”
Returning to Test cricket after almost a year, with Markram having struggled in the previous season, he said, “the time-off during lockdown was a blessing in disguise.”
The coaching staff, Markram explained, prepared a checklist for each individual to work on during the lockdown. Having returned to the international fold now, Markram said, “Now it’s about how long we can do it for.”
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