Aiden Markram
Images by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo
- Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Aiden Markram hopes to wear the captain’s armband at next week’s SA20.
- The inaugural SA20 kicks off on Tuesday with the Sunrisers playing their first match on Thursday at St George’s Park.
- Markram, who was dropped from the Proteas Test side, is looking forward to performing in the new T20 competition.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain Aiden Markram says he is looking forward to leading a team once again ahead of the inaugural SA20.
The SA20 kicks off on Tuesday with MI Cape Town hosting Royal Paarls in the T20 opener at Newlands.
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Markram was dropped from the Proteas Test squad and did not feature in South Africa’s disastrous 2–0 Test series defeat against Australia.
“It was nice. Last year was pretty busy, so having the festive season off with family and friends, it’s been a while since I’ve had that. It was very refreshing,” Markram told reporters Saturday at a news conference from the captain SA20. conference.
“We (Sunrisers) have quite a young group so hopefully we can bring that exuberance of youth to the front and play some entertaining cricket.
“There is a good fan base in Gqeberha and hopefully we can fill the stadium.”
Markram will once again wear orange, as he did last season in the Indian Premier League for the Hyderabad Sunrisers, but will now captain the Gqeberha-based franchise.
The Sunrisers Eastern Cape kick off their SA20 campaign against the Pretoria Capitals on Thursday at St George’s Park.
Markram, who was once designated to be a future Proteas captain, freshens up from the holiday break and hopes to lead from the front.
“In terms of leadership, I’m very excited. It’s been a while since I’ve captained a team, so I’m looking forward to it,” Markram said.
“It might take an odd practice game here and there to remind yourself of how things are going, but luckily we have the next few days. [to] take advantage of the knowledge of our management.
“There’s quite a bit of experience and then the new young ideas from the guys on the team.
“If we can balance those two together, hopefully we’ll be on the right track and play some good cricket as a team. I’m looking forward to the tournament.”
Thursday’s game starts at 5:30 p.m.
Sunrisers squad in the Eastern Cape:
Aiden Markram, Ottneil Baartman, Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Sisanda Magala, Junaid Dawood, Mason Crane, Jon-Jon Smuts, Jordan Cox, Adam Rossington, Roelof van der Merwe, Marques Ackerman, James Fuller, Brydon Carse, Sarel Erwee, Aya GqamaneTom Abell
