It’s been 53 days since the agonizing T20 World Cup final, and the question on everyone’s mind is: How is Aiden Markram holding up? Speaking at a press conference in Guyana on Tuesday, Markram addressed his emotional state: “I should give it as much time as it needs. It was a tough one to swallow at the time. Definitely since then till now, it’s got a bit better to handle; to deal with and to process and put to bed.”
Markram’s remarks expounded on the emotional drama of June 29 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The day saw South Africa’s men’s team venture into uncharted territory. It was their first-ever appearance in a senior World Cup final. Unfortunately, it also marked their first experience of the shock and heartache that comes with losing in a decider.
The final match against India was a nail-biter, with the latter sealing their victory by a narrow margin of seven runs. For the South Africans, it was devastating. A look at their T20I history reveals that they had won and lost six of their other 184 matches by the same gap and had experienced 21 outcomes decided by fewer runs. They had even tied one game. But none of those scenarios paralleled the monumental weight of losing the World Cup final.
“Luckily I was able to take some time to get away from the game, get away from cricket conversations that would spark the discussion once again,” Markram said, highlighting the importance of a mental reset. “It was nice to get away from that and to reset. Each individual processes it pretty much to themselves. Probably the most important thing is making sure you’re at peace with how it all ended. So that you can move on and move forward.”
Now, South Africa is back in the Caribbean to face off against West Indies in three T20Is from Friday to Tuesday in Tarouba, Trinidad. However, only a few members from their World Cup final XI are part of this squad—Markram, Reeza Hendricks, and Tristan Stubbs. Markram and Stubbs had just finished a Test series against the Windies over the past 13 days, a contest that South Africa won 1-0 under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, who also captains the ODI side.
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Markram, who serves as South Africa’s T20I captain, was candid about the role-switching dynamics. “It’s not a hell of a big deal for me. The decision-makers, especially from a white-ball point of view, remain consistent. That allows for continuity in the team.”
“Faces will change and squads will change, but it’s important that we keep driving a consistent message to the guys and making sure that they feel backed as players. And that whatever they bring to the table is good enough for us as a team. So, it’s not too complicated. You take on whatever you get given and you try to make the absolute best of it and see where it gets you.”
Reflecting on the past, Markram undoubtedly hopes for a better outcome this time around in Tarouba. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had labeled the pitch during the World Cup semifinal as “unsatisfactory,” the second-lowest rating due to its inconsistency. This pitch had witnessed teams batting first being bowled out between the range of 40 to 95 runs in four out of five games played during the tournament. In the other match, even the West Indies struggled initially, finding themselves at 30/5 against New Zealand before recovering to a total of 149/9.
The conditions were markedly improved during a tour match the South Africans played against a West Indies Championship XI in Tarouba before the Test series. Two centuries and six 50s – three of them surpassing 70 runs – saw the teams amass totals of 397 and 408/9 respectively. Markram himself showcased his prowess, scoring 82 off 107 balls and hitting 56 of his runs in boundaries.
That day was undoubtedly a far happier one for Markram compared to the disheartening events of June 29. Even securing a 3-0 win in the upcoming matches wouldn’t completely erase the sting of what happened during the World Cup final. However, part of moving on is fostering the belief that better days lie ahead and that this wouldn’t be South Africa’s only shot at a World Cup final.
In the end, Markram’s journey in overcoming this setback continues, aiming to transform his past experiences into future successes. His perspective demonstrates resilience and hope, encouraging his teammates and supporters alike to look forward to triumphant moments that await.