Faf Du Plessis Welcomes Imposing Aiden Markram in South Africa’s Test Fold
Sep 25, 2017 at 4:01 PM
As the 22-year-old Aiden Markram has been announced in the 12-member squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, the Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis has welcomed the technically sound youngster in the Test format while expecting a lot from the fresh recruit.
While speaking about the debutant Markram to its length and the breadth, du Plessis has praised the efforts of the top-order batsman soon after the Titans game in Centurion.
“He [Aiden Markram] has got a good head on his shoulders. So we are looking forward to welcome him in the proteas team,” du Plessis revealed in a 22-second video uploaded by the Multiply Titans on micro-blogging site Twitter.
The 33-year-old Pretoria-born right-handed batsman du Plessis was impressed with the promising prospect Markram owing to his dedication for the gentleman’s game.
“I am really impressed with him in England. I saw his work ethic is really good,” du Plessis maintained.
Ahead of the two-match Test series against Mushfiqur Rahim-led Bangladesh, Markram is eyeing it as a massive opportunity while donning the white jersey at home.
Having a huge responsibility on his shoulder, du Plessis, who played 43 Tests for the Proteas, is averaging 43.28 in 69 innings, is hopeful that Markram would come good against Tigers.
Du Plessis further feels it would be the perfect start for the player to start with the longer version of the game.
“I think the time is perfect now for him to play Test cricket, du Plessis added.
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While observing the Centurion-born rising start carefully, du Plessis admitted the fact by saying the former’s technique would play a crucial role for the batter in the impending series.
“And to see him over last four days and watch him do his thing with the bat was really impressive. His technique is in good place,” du Plessis asserted.
Pertinently, with the start of domestic four-day fixtures from September 19, Markram had a blazing start, as he scored 119 and 87 in the curtain raiser of the Sunfoil Series against Dolphins.
After making his premium domestic debut in 2014, Aiden played 34 first-class matches in which he has scored 2,350 runs at an average of 44.33.
The first Test is slated for September 28 (Thursday) in Potchefstroom.
Faf du Plessis’ comments on Aiden Markram:
Faf du Plessis: "The time is perfect now for him to play Test cricket" #SAvBAN pic.twitter.com/CxdrHbYrFI
— Momentum Multiply Titans (@Titans_Cricket) September 22, 2017
Here is the 12-men Test squad of South Africa for the first Test against Bangladesh:
Faf du Plessis (C), Hashim Amla, Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (WK), Theunis de Bruyn, Keshav Maharaj, Morne Morkel, Duanne Olivier, Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell and Andile Phehlukwayo.