Markram to captain Proteas T20I team

CRICKET NEWS - Aiden Markram has replaced Temba Bavuma as the Proteas T20I captain ahead of the series against the West Indies.

Markram has a wealth of leadership experience. He led South Africa to the U19 World Cup title in 2014, before captaining teams at provincial and franchise levels.

Most recently, he led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the inaugural SA20 title after which he was appointed captain of the Sunrisers Hyderabad for this year’s IPL.

Bavuma has not been included in the T20I squad for the three-match series against the West Indies, which starts in Centurion on 25 March.

Lions spinner Bjorn Fortuin and pace bowler Sisanda Magala have been rewarded for excellent SA20 campaigns with Proteas call-ups.

Teenage batsman Dewald Brevis has once again been overlooked for the T20I squad.

Meanwhile, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada will be rested for the three-match ODI series, which starts in East London on 16 March.

Knights fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, Western Province batsman Tony de Zorzi and EP Warriors batsman Tristan Stubbs have earned maiden ODI call-ups.

Lions batsman Ryan Rickelton returns to the ODI setup following an impressive One-Day Cup campaign, which saw the left-hander finish as the leading run-scorer with 452 at an average of 64.57, including two 100s and as many 50s.

“This is a squad that is high on confidence after beating one of the best white-ball teams in the world, England, in their most recent series,” says Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter.

“We have introduced a few new faces to the 50-over squad. I am excited to see how the likes of Tony de Zorzi get on in the ODI team, the same with Gerald Coetzee, following debuts for both of them during the ongoing test series. Both are players who have the potential to play a huge role in the future of the national team along with Tristan Stubbs, who has already made such a significant mark in the T20I arena.

“I am also excited to have Aiden take the reigns as T20I captain as he is very familiar with the setup and works well with those around him. He is a player who leads from the front and we have no doubt he will take this team to the next level in the years ahead.”

Proteas ODI squad (1st and 2nd ODIs)

Temba Bavuma (captain, Lions), Gerald Coetzee (Knights), Quinton de Kock (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Sisanda Magala (Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors), Lizaad Williams (Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions).

Proteas ODI squad (3rd ODI)

Temba Bavuma (captain, Lions), Gerald Coetzee (Knights), Quinton de Kock (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Marco Jansen (Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Sisanda Magala (Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), David Miller (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Wayne Parnell (Western Province), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors), Lizaad Williams (Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (Lions).

Proteas T20I squad

Aiden Markram (captain, Titans), Quinton de Kock ( Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (Lions), Reeza Hendricks (Lions), Marco Jansen (Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Sisanda Magala (Lions), David Miller (Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Wayne Parnell (Western Province), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors).