South Africa's Aiden Markram prepares for his first international match since March after personal reasons kept him sidelined.
Aiden Markram is set to make his return to international cricket in South Africa's second ODI against Australia at the Wanderers on Sunday, September 27. The Proteas hold a 1-0 series lead after winning the first ODI in Durban by 67 runs last Thursday. The match forms part of Pink Day, raising awareness for breast cancer.
Markram's absence from international cricket stretches back to South Africa's T20 World Cup semifinal loss to New Zealand in Kolkata in March. He has not played a cricket match since returning from The Hundred in early August, having stepped away due to personal reasons. During his preparation for the comeback, Markram trained with provincial union Titans and spent hours in the nets at Tshwane University.
Markram acknowledged that match practice offers preparation unlike any other form of training. He recognised the significance of his extended absence from competitive cricket and how that reality would shape his approach to the contest.
"You’ll have to spend a bit of time out there. It might feel a bit ‘French’ at the start, but hopefully if I get through that initial period, I can get a bit of a flow from there." Markram was quoted as saying by Times Live.
"There is no prep like match practice. I realise I’ve not played a cricket match in some time. One is excited, but it’s also about respecting that that is the case, which will affect my approach tomorrow," Markram said.
Markram's record against Australia provides encouragement for his return. In ODI cricket, he averages 38.15 across 14 matches against Australia, slightly better than his overall ODI average of 37.09. In Test cricket, Markram averages over 60 against Australia, having scored three of his eight Test centuries against them.
Markram views the Australian team as a worthy opponent that brings out the best in both sides. He emphasised the competitive intensity that characterises matches between the two nations and the value of testing himself against such opposition.
"Australians are similar to us in terms of character and presence, both teams like to feel as if they are in a battle, to feel the heat, the competition … it brings out the best in both teams. It makes for a pretty good spectacle to watch and from a player’s point of view a very exciting game and series to be a part of," Markram said.
The challenge of facing Pat Cummins
Pat Cummins remains Australia's official ODI captain, though he did not feature in the first ODI in Durban. If Cummins plays at the Wanderers, it would be just his third ODI since the 2023 World Cup final. Markram acknowledged the sustained threat posed by the Australian pace attack, particularly Cummins, whose intensity rarely diminishes throughout a match.
"He never goes away. Sometimes you feel with bowlers that as you spend a bit of time at the crease, the third or fourth spell, especially in Test cricket, they might start to labour, but with Pat it always feels the same. There is skill behind that character … there’s a lot of energy on the ball and he bashes away at a good spot and if there is anything in the wicket he will certainly find it," Markram said.
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Markram recognised that playing against Australia offers a valuable opportunity to assess his form and readiness after his extended break from international cricket. He noted that the ODI series could provide confidence for players who would transition to the Test format later in the tour.
"For the guys who will carry over to the Test format, there might be confidence to take," the 31-year-old mentioned.