South Africa, on Monday (March 6), appointed Aiden Markram as their new T20I captain while also axing Temba Bavuma for the upcoming three-match series against West Indies later this month.
Last month, Bavuma had stepped down as the T20I captain and was named the Test captain. He is also the ODI captain of the Proteas. The right-handed batsman, who has struggled to do well in T20Is, has also lost his place in the team.
Aiden Markram, who led South Africa to their first U19 World Cup title in 2014, will lead South Africa for the first time in his career. He, however, is no stranger to leading a team. The batsman recently led Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the title in the first season of the SA20. Following the success, Sunrisers Hyderabad also named him as their captain for the upcoming season of IPL.
“I would like to congratulate Aiden on his appointment as captain of the Proteas T20I team. Leadership is extremely familiar to him having successfully led on so many levels. He is a player that inspires confidence and he has all the qualities to succeed in the role. We have no doubt will help take South Africa to the next level,” said Enoch Nkwe, South Africa’s director of cricket.
“At the same time, we would like to thank Temba for filling the position so aptly over the past two years. He has done a commendable job during this period and now has a new role to fulfil within the national set-up,” he added.
South Africa T20I and ODI squads:
Talking about South Africa’s T20I squad for the West Indies series, the hosts have included Bjorn Fortuin and Sisanda Magala in their squad. Fast-bowler Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada have been rested for the ODI leg of the series but will return for the T20Is.
On the other hand, Markram, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and Wayne Parnell aren’t part of the ODI squad for the first two games, and will return for the third match.
South Africa squad for the first two ODIs: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Phehlukwayo,Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams, Rassie van der Dussen.
South Africa squad for the third ODI: Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams, Rassie van der Dussen.
South Africa T20I squad: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.