In Temba Bavuma’s absence, Aiden Markram will captain the Proteas in next week’s first Test against Bangladesh In Temba Bavuma’s absence, Aiden Markram will captain the Proteas in next week’s first Test against Bangladesh. Photo: Rodger Bosch/AFP
Aiden Markram may have already captained South Africa in 13 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), but it will be his first Test match as skipper when the Proteas take on hosts Bangladesh in Mirpur next week.
With regular Test skipper Temba Bavuma ruled out of the first match due to injury, Markram will take the reigns.
Now in his 40th Test match, the 30-year-old will finally lead his side in the longest format of the game for the first time.
Ahead of the two-match series, Markram said being given the privilege of captain was the pinnacle for him as a cricketer.
Aiden Markram and his aggression 🥵 pic.twitter.com/jdFYOvZNZh
— Rakshith (@HydCricGuy) August 19, 2024
“Absolutely, it's a big dream come true to be honest. It's what I dreamed about as a kid, firstly playing for South Africa and then secondly to captain your country in a Test match is the ultimate for me,” said Markram on Monday.
“So incredibly honoured and grateful for that opportunity and hopefully we can put in a good performance and get a win and start a series well and run with that momentum.”
With Bavuma possibly returning for the second Test in Chattogram on October 29 if he recovers in time from his left tricep muscles train, Markram did not envisage adopting a different approach to his senior teammate.
“I don't think I'll go away from the way I operate in the white ball stuff. A lot of it will be based on conditions when we're out there, so if it is flat you can get ready to experiment with fields and plans, but if there's assistance with ball in hand, be it spinning or if it does seem around, then it's just about patience and execution.
“So we'll assess it all once we're there and yeah it makes a call, but I don't think it'll be too different to the white ball stuff.”