It has been 53 days since that fateful night at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. As South Africa’s men’s cricket team navigates new terrain, one question lingers: How is Aiden Markram, one of the team’s linchpins, holding up?
“I should give it as much time as it needs,” Markram stated during a press conference in Guyana on Tuesday. “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 was referring to the dramatic events of June 29. South Africa had broken new ground, reaching a senior World Cup final for the first time in their history. Unfortunately, they also endured the painful experience of losing that decider, a feeling that was unfamiliar territory for the Proteas.
The final was a nail-biter, with India clawing out a victory by a mere seven runs. The South African team was heartbroken. Though they had won and lost six of their other 184 T20Is by the same narrow margin and had outcomes in 21 matches decided by even fewer runs—one even tied—this one stung differently.
“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. “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.”
Though the wounds are still fresh, South Africa is back in the Caribbean for a three-match T20I series against the West Indies, scheduled from Friday to Tuesday in Tarouba, Trinidad. Not all members of the World Cup squad are back. The only ones from the final XI who have returned are Markram, Reeza Hendricks, and Tristan Stubbs. Markram and Stubbs recently participated in a Test series against the Windies, which South Africa won 1-0 under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, who also captains the ODI side.
Markram serves as South Africa’s T20I captain. When asked about switching roles between being a team member and a leader, he responded, “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.”
He emphasized the importance of maintaining a cohesive message within the squad. “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.”
Markram undoubtedly hopes that his experience in Tarouba this time around will be more fortuitous than during the T20 World Cup. He aims for better results on a pitch that the ICC has recently labelled as “unsatisfactory” due to its chronically inconsistent bounce during the World Cup. The South Africans had dismissed Afghanistan for 56 on that very pitch en route to a convincing nine-wicket win in the semifinal. Teams batting first were bowled out between 40 to 95 runs in four of the five games played at the ground during the tournament. The exception was a match where West Indies recovered from 30/5 to total 149/9 against New Zealand.
Conditions were notably better during a tour match South Africa played against a West Indies Championship XI in Tarouba before the Test series. That game featured two centuries and six scores of fifty or more, with team totals of 397 and 408/9. Markram himself shined, scoring 82 off 107 balls, 56 of those runs coming through boundaries.
That display was undoubtedly a brighter moment for Markram compared to the harrowing experience of June 29. Even a 3-0 series win in the upcoming T20Is against the West Indies would not entirely erase the sting of that World Cup final. However, accepting the past and believing that future opportunities for glory lie ahead is a crucial part of moving forward.
As South Africa’s men’s cricket team continues to evolve and aim for higher achievements, the experience and leadership of players like Markram will be vital. Markram’s outlook indicates a resilient spirit, facing the adversities of the past while remaining hopeful for a triumphant future.