Johannesburg – in Cricket Aiden Markram will be captaining the Proteas. He will be replacing Themba Bavuma. This means Markram will be leading the Proteas against Bangladesh later this month, according to Cricket South Africa. The public statement was made on Friday. Bavuma (34) was ruled out of the first test after scans revealed a left tricep muscle strain suffered in the One Day International series against Ireland in the United Arab Emirates last week.
But he will travel with the squad to Dhaka on Tuesday and continue his recovery under the supervision of the South African medical team in preparation for the second test. Markram takes over the captaincy for the first test in the Bangladeshi capital, starting on Oct. 21, with Dewald Brevis added to the squad as cover. It is a maiden test call-up for the 21-year-old. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi was named as a replacement for Nandre Burger, who has a lumbar stress fracture and misses out. The second test is at Chattogram from Oct. 29-Nov. 2.
Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne. (Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
Professional Cricket is a tough game in which only the very fit can compete. Injury does still happen in this most pristine of sport. It can result in a team member like Bavuma being slowed down. Markram for his part has a tough challenge ahead of him in captaining the South African National Cricket Team the Proteas against the Bangladeshi National Cricket Team. The tests ahead are going to be gruelling. It will take an investment in skill, strength and talent to compete against the opposing team. It should come as no surprise that doctors and medical practitioners will be monitoring the progress of the players. The training is going to be intense.
The Proteas in Dhaka will not only have the home team to contend against but also the local tropical weather. The heat could throw off any focus against playing the game. The Proteas had best be ready for their game when it arrives. With their training and the team’s doctor monitoring their progress.
Meanwhile the South African Women’s team has qualified the Group B for the semi-finals of the Women’s T-20 World Cup. They have qualified alongside England and the West Indies, after the Proteas ended Bangladesh’s team’s chances of reaching the final hour.
Having restricted Bangladesh to just 106/3 from their 20 overs, South Africa delivered a controlled chase to wrap up a seven-wicket win with 2.4 overs remaining. Bosch fell reverse-sweeping Khatun, departing for a run-a-ball 25. And Brits went just eight balls later as she was cleaned up by Ritu Moni for 42 (41). But between them they’d done much of the legwork in the chase, and the job was finished in style by big-hitting middle order batters Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon. Earlier, Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and decided to bat first against South Africa at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. But the Tigresses made a sluggish start with the bat after Dilara Akter was caught behind off Marizanne Kapp from just the second ball of the innings.
South African pace duo Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka proved extremely tricky for Bangladesh to get away, as the six-over powerplay ended with the score at just 21/1.
The wickets scored in Dubai by South Africa was in its favour. In the world of Bowling and batting the balance of winning can be tipped in any one’s favour. Both teams have to be at the ready to defend their wickets when called upon. The Bangladeshi and South African teams are both naturals at playing the sport. This match would have been tough and like a balancing act on a tight rope. All it would take is one team to give way. The chase by the winning players to the posts along the boundaries would determine whether they can win or not. If the players are blocked by the opposing team, then they lose. The South African Proteas women team in Dubai had encountered tough competition from the Bangladeshis but were able to overcome it.
Both the men and women’s teams need to keep their skills sharp for the participation in the sport. However as is often the case only one can take the trophy home if they are good enough. Cricket is just as unpredictable as any other sport.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
