It’s Reeza or Aiden for Proteas
Australian tour will determine the final slots for the Protea’s World Cup squad
IN TYPICAL Faf du Plessis fashion, there was no mincing of words - Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram are in “a straight shootout” for a top order batting spot in the Proteas One-Day team.
Du Plessis, in explaining the new structure for the One-Day side that will form the basis for the strategy that the team will adopt at the World Cup next year, said the pair, who share 19 ODI caps between them, will have the series in Australia to finally prove their credentials.
Markram has certainly been tested in his short career. In his third game he was made One-Day captain against India after injuries to some senior players. That was at the start of a series which South Africa effectively tossed away as it started the now famous period of experimentation with an eye on the World Cup.
In addition, as Du Plessis outlined before the side left for Australia this week, Markram has also filled different roles since he was picked for the One-Day side. “His role has changed. When he came into the team AB (de Villiers) was still at no.4, then AB left, then we thought 4 was a position he could bat, now it looks like the best position suited to him is the top 3.”
Markram has batted at no.4 twice, making his highest score of 66 on debut in that position against Bangladesh last year.
He’s opened six times averages 30.33 in that spot with a top score of 42. They’re not exactly imposing numbers, and as Du Plessis mentioned, Markram is unlikely to bat there when both Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla are fit.
Amla has a finger injury and won’t tour Australia, meaning Markram is likely to partner De Kock at the top of the order for the three ODIs. Markram has shown he can get good starts; he’s gone past 20 seven times, but on only one occasion made a half-century.
Hendricks has opened just once for the national team alongside Markram - in the final match of the series against Zimbabwe, scoring 66. Since his century on debut in Sri Lanka, Hendricks has notched four single figure scores until the last match of the Zimbabwe series. He will bat at no.3 against Australia.
Du Plessis also threw another ingredient into the Proteas top order mix - himself. “I said to the coach (Ottis Gibson), 3 is a position I really enjoy, but I see where he is coming from and the benefits of having me at no.4, it’s a versatile position, you need to play a different game, and the experience in the middle order is vital,” said Du Plessis, who until his injury in Sri Lanka batted at No 4.
Given the way the Proteas want to structure their starting XI - six frontline batsmen, a seam bowling all-rounder at no.7 and four strike bowlers - it’s vital that the top order is settled.
It’s the same for most teams, but South Africa, unlike many other teams, will have a lengthier tail and in English conditions next year, it’s a very risky strategy.