Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey
Why isn’t Aiden Markram recognising his Test potential? | A look at why Aiden Markram continues to struggle in Test cricket for South Africa
When Aiden Markram first burst onto the scene, Proteas’ fans said a quiet word of thanks that the country’s prayers of finding a player worthy of South Africa’s great teams seemed to be answered. Indeed, the swashbuckling right-hander had an array of shots and the timing to match. In reality, it seemed for all the money in the world that Markram would enjoy an illustrious career.
Five years from his Proteas debut and Markram is at a career-defining crossroads given that his batting averages are far below where a player of his class should be. The one exception would be Markram’s performance in the T20 arena where he currently averages 42.47.
? Aiden Markram scored a career-best 70 in the 5th T20I
? Full Highlights https://t.co/3nINbKmCMS#WIvSA #ThatsOurGame pic.twitter.com/E5gNWs12H9
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 4, 2021
Aiden Markram is averaging under 25 in Tests since the start of 2021
Nonetheless, Markram will be on the plane to Australia but there is less certainty about how many flights he will board in the future when the Proteas depart to play Test cricket around the world.
Chiefly, this comes down to the batsman’s Test average of 34.05 which is, in short, not good enough. Worse, the average drops to just 24.6 since the start of 2021. Ultimately, players representing South Africa who come in to bat at number four need to be averaging above 40 at the bare minimum.
Right now, it doesn’t feel like Markram has the stomach for the battle which is undoubtedly contributing to his cheap dismissals, and led to him being dropped for the third Test against England. To a certain extent, we’ve seen a similar situation unfold in the South Africa and England series with Zak Crawley, whose decision-making with bat in hand whilst under pressure, points toward a player who wants to be taken out of the firing line. Indeed, there were shades of Crawley’s indecision in Markram’s wicket in the second Test when he immediately took on a short ball from Ben Stokes and was subsequently caught behind early on in his innings.
“A good morning for England has now got EVEN better!” ????????
Was it intentional? Who cares…Captain Ben Stokes gets in on the act! ? #ENGvSA pic.twitter.com/SFKD0HaHW5
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 25, 2022
In essence, the shot that Markram played was the last thing that the Proteas’ precarious situation required which again, reveals that this is a man who wants to do anything but bat for South Africa in Tests at the moment. Going back to matches over the past two years, Markram would often look in good touch, but throw his wicket away with a loose shot. Now, the pressure seems to have become too much, and time in the middle in domestic cricket is best for his game.
Aiden Markram is a delight to watch!
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 24, 2018
This is why Test cricket is referred to as the ultimate format as every run has to be earned and against the top nations, no inch will be surrendered.
Yes, it can be an unforgiving and merciless format that will ask tough questions of not only a batsmen’s technique but also their stomach for the fight in the relentless heat of battle. As things stand, Markram looks ready to step aside and let someone else take his place in the trenches.
