Cricket South Africa are already looking towards the future.
With the Proteas having bombed at the World Cup and Faf du Plessis on the wrong side of 30 already, they have given Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma a chance to prove that they are worthy of leading the country into battle.
Markram was named as South Africa A’s four-day captain, while Bavuma will steer the ship in one-dayers when they tour to India in August and September.
Convenor of selectors Linda Zondi admits: “This is one of the most important South Africa A tours we have planned for some time as it will focus on several important strategic areas.
TAKING THE ARMBAND: Markram to lead SA A. Photo: BackpagePix.
“One of these is to broaden our leadership group and we see both Aiden [Markram] and Temba [Bavuma] playing an important role in this regard. We will be looking at other candidates during the course of the new season. Another, is the opportunity to give some of our senior batsmen the chance to climatize for the Proteas Test match tour to India in October; and a third is to give opportunity to younger players who have earned their chance through outstanding performance at domestic level.”
SA A four-day squad:
Aiden Markram ( captain), Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Zubayr Hamza, Beuran Hendricks, George Linde, Pieter Malan, Eddie Moore, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Piedt, Rudi Second, Lutho Sipamla, Khaya Zondo.
SA A one-day squad:
Temba Bavuma ( captain), Matthew Breetzke, Gihahn Cloete, Junior Dala, Theunis de Bruyn, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, Janneman Malan, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Sinethemba Qeshile, Lutho Sipamla.