“It feels good, it’s been one of our first away Test match wins in quite some time,” said Proteas batsman, Aiden Markram, while reflecting on South Africa’s comprehensive win over the West Indies in the first Test match in St. Lucia. 

Markram believes this is an important win for the team because of the belief it gives the team “that we can still win away from home and compete against some good Test match teams.” In particular, Markram is pleased “to win in foreign conditions.” Apart from unfamiliar ground conditions and the challenge of playing with the Duke ball, South Africa had to adapt to a strong breeze at the ground, as well as a relatively steep slope from one end. “Bowlers had to run up that hill and into the wind the whole Test match,” explained Markram. 

Markram, in addition to Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen, struck form in the first Test match, scoring a crucial half-century. “We identified prior to the Test match that opening the batting was quite an important role here. The new ball was always going to be the biggest challenge,” said Markram. 

South Africa’s fielding came in for a lot of praise, particularly the slip cordon, after they hung on to all the catches that came their way. “It was heart-warming to see the guys catch and field the way they did. It’s still a young team, a new-look slip cordon, but we’re putting in a lot of hard work and trying to make it a lot tougher at training so that in the game, hopefully, it seems that little bit easier.” 

Heaping praise on the newly-appointed captain, Dean Elgar, Markram said, “He’s the one who is driving the standards. It’s black or white, you know exactly where you stand with him. He’s the perfect man for the job.”