Published: Mar 05, 2019, 06:30 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 05, 2019, 06:30 PM (IST)
In his last two appearances for this season’s Momentum One-Day Cup, Aiden Markram smashed 139 and 169 on March 3 and March 1 respectively. Markram, who has 16 ODIs under his belt, averages 25.43, but his recent two feats have drawn the attention of South Africa captain Faf du Plessis.
Asked about Markram’s 169 against the Cobras with him batting at No. 5, du Plessis hinted that the feat has been taken note of which also might see Markram among the probables for the ICC World Cup 2019 squad.
“He is by no means out of our plans,” Du Plessis said after leading South Africa to a thumping eight-wicket win in the first ODI at the Wanderers against Sri Lanka. (ALSO READ: Imran Tahir to retire from ODIs after World Cup 2019)
“If you look at the top five that’s here right now, it’s the five guys who have consistently been the biggest scorers over the last season – Aiden has had some really good opportunities in One-Day cricket.
“We know he is a better player than his figures over the 16 matches he’s played would say.”
Markram, who last played an ODI at Australia in November last year, also captained the Proteas in five matches against an Indian team with many senior players missing out. “It’s not so easy to say someone is doing really well, so therefore he must come into the team,” said Du Plessis. (ALSO READ: Tahir my biggest weapon as captain: Faf du Plessis)
“He has to come in, in someone’s place, and if you look at Reeza Hendricks and Rassie (van der Dussen), they’ve had fantastic seasons in all formats – they’ve been very consistent and deserve their chances to play.”
“All Aiden must do is keep scoring runs, bash that door down and hopefully there will be an opportunity for him in the last two games of this series. And then (he needs) to step up and run with that form, and, Bob’s your uncle,” Du Plessis added.
South Africa play the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Durban on Sunday.
