South Africa vs Australia 2018: 5 positives for the Proteas
Every South Africa- Australia series is a high octane, highly competitive contest. There usually will be on-field spats and issues but in the end, the sheer quality of cricket will overpower everything.
This series was a bit different because of the ball-tampering scandal which shook the world of cricket. The incident ruined the reputations of David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft causing Warner and Smith to be banned for 12 months and Bancroft for 9 months from all forms of cricket.
Despite that disgraceful incident, the quality of cricket which was on show in all the four Tests was for all to see. Australia were convincing and ruthless in Durban only to be outclassed by the hosts in the remaining three Tests.
A win margin of 492 runs against Australia in Johannesburg sums up the dominance of South Africa over Australia allowing them to register their first test series win against the Aussies at home since readmission into international cricket in the year 1992.
There were many positives for South Africa in their 3-1 series win, here’s looking at them:
Aiden Markram shines with the bat at the top of the order
Aiden Markram was earmarked for big things. The former Under-19 captain of South Africa was highly rated when he made his Test debut and more recently his ODI debut. His performances in the ODI’s against India was disappointing as in the absence of regular skipper Faf du Plessis, he was made captain and neither could he make a mark as a batsman and captain as his team lost 1-5.
But his stint as an opener in the longest format of the game had been pretty good heading into the home series against Australia. He established himself as a good foil for the fighting Dean Elgar.
And Aiden Markram unleashed some fine performances and was fantastic against a top quality Australian bowling attack. He notched a total of 480 runs in the Test series enabling him to enter the top 10 batsmen’s list in the latest ICC ratings.
His poise, grace and the ability to play both seam and spin equally well is indeed a good sign for South Africa and Test cricket as it needs more such young talents to showcase their true worth. The Proteas can hope that Markram continues this fine run in upcoming tours in the future.