No wholesale changes expected in Proteas’ top order, says Markram

Proteas T20 cricket captain Aiden Markram expects some top-order batting tweaks rather than a full makeover when his side take on Ireland in a two-match Twenty20 series in Abu Dhabi, starting on Friday.

In this week’s 2-1 series defeat against Afghanistan in Sharjah in the 50-overs format, South Africa's batting woes in the face of spin bowling were again highlighted as they struggled to find their feet against the Afghan slow bowlers.

While they may not face the same examination from a spin point of view against Ireland, Markram said they would not underestimate their Irish counterparts, who he believes have grown immensely in the past few years.

“The squads are different. There will be some guys coming in to join the T20 squad, guys we would like to see in the 11 and playing,” Markram said.

“It is only two games, so from an opportunities point of view we will hopefully back the same sort of batting unit for the two games from the guys who are here and available.

“I can’t see a huge reshuffle but we will get a few fresh faces in who weren’t part of the ODI series and see what energy they bring us.”

Ireland and the Proteas have faced each other five times in T20 matches since 2021, with South Africa unbeaten. 

They have also managed to beat the Irish by 21 runs or more on each occasion.

Markram believes the Irish will offer his side a stern test in the two encounters.

For the Proteas to quash any threat posed by the Irish, their tactical analysis and planning will need to be watertight because of the thin line between winning and losing.

“They have become a good team in world cricket and are capable of beating any team,” he said. “So they must get a lot of credit for their growth.

“For us to nullify their threats, it will come down to our planning, trying to identify areas in each innings where we may be able to get one up on them.

“It's small margins that can win or lose games. So if we can identify that from a planning point of view, we give ourselves the best chance to get it right on the field.”

With a revolving door of players being bled into the national structures, Markram did not feel there was added pressure on the regular faces in the side.

“We will always be highly competitive people as South Africans and as sportsmen, it is never nice to lose.

“When things don’t go according to plan, you as a more experienced player must look at things a bit deeper and see how you as an individual could have made a difference in the game.”