New Delhi: South Africa’s new T20I skipper Aiden Markram wants to use his experience to mould young players of the team to become better cricketers in the future after witnessing the T20 World Cup slip between their fingers.
He was appointed the T20I skipper before the T20 World Cup in June, where they were lost to India in the final from a winning position and then went down in West Indies in a three-match series in August.
Markram remains undeterred by the tough start and wants to focus on improving the new crop of players that he has been given the responsibility of captaining.
“It’s to really support them, help them at training, or wherever they feel they need help,” the 29-year-old said on Thursday, as quoted by PTI.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have played a few games and have a little bit more experience than some of the younger guys.
“So, it’s about them asking some really good questions and me giving some honest feedback to them, maybe trying to assist them in what they can expect out there in the middle, the approach from different oppositions etc.
“So, it’s all just to help them grow as players, whether you can make a 1 per cent difference or a bigger difference. It all benefits the team at the end,” he added.
‘Loss to India hurts’
Markram remains proud of the team’s run to the T20 World Cup final, despite inability to close out the match. It has been a trait that has been consistent with them in the last couple of decades, which has earned them the tag of ‘chokers’.
South Africa are determined to erase it after coming up only a step short in the T20 Worle Cup, Markram is convinced they are on the right track.
“Look, that squad was a team that was together for many years, building towards that journey. That made it quite special that everyone was really invested in the goal of trying to win that World Cup. But unfortunately, it didn’t work that way,” the right handed batter said.
“But there’s lots to be proud of from that World Cup. Lots to build on. So, we need to keep plugging away and see how far it can get us and, hopefully, it can get our hands on a trophy at some stage.”
Aiden Markram was appointed the skipper before the T20 World Cup in June, where they were lost to India in the final Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
