AIDEN CAN TAKE THE GAME AWAY FROM THE AUSSIES, SAYS SMITH

Betway SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith believes Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Aiden Markram can “potentially be a gamechanger” for the Proteas in the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia.

Smith spent time with the Proteas during the team’s first training session at Lord’s on Sunday, chatting particularly to the young batters such as MI Cape Town’s Ryan Rickelton and Sunrisers’ Tristan Stubbs. 

But it is experienced Markram, who has led the Sunrisers to two Betway SA20 championship titles, that Smith feels will lead the way in “The Ultimate Test”.

“I think for Aiden, he could be potentially a gamechanger with a bat,” Smith told Betway SA20. 

“We know technically, in Test cricket, he probably has had his challenges, but he's a gamechanger in terms of taking the game away from Australians. 

“If he gets in and gets 100, you know, it'll be huge for that batting order.”

Markram is certainly heading to Lord’s in a confident mood after enjoying his best IPL season ever. The attacking right-hander broke the 450-run threshold for the first time, striking five half-centuries in 13 innings.

"I'm feeling good. I feel like I'm moving well," he said. "The IPL is obviously a completely different format but it was nice to come into a game feeling good. 

“I'm pleased to be in that headspace at the moment and when you're feeling like this, it's really about cashing in and trying to make a difference for the team."

The 30-year-old has an enviable Test record against the Aussies, averaging 60 against the defending champions, which includes raising his bat for two centuries.

He is, therefore, well aware of his task at the top of the order with his MI Cape Town partner Rickelton to lay the foundation upfront for the likes of captain Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham and Stubbs.

"When you're opening the batting, obviously your responsibility is to calm the changing room down, get the team off to a good start and get us ahead of the game," he said.

"That's the challenge, that's what excites us. When you're preparing against your bowlers who are world-class, it can only help you as a batter, as uncomfortable as it can be at times. But that's the gauge - that you judge where your game is at."