Border coach Francois Plaatjies has all but insisted Bohemian Cricket Club batsman Marco Marais has the ability to play for South Africa.
Marais struck a record-breaking triple-century against Eastern Province in the Sunfoil 3-Day Cup late last year – and has been a key figure in Border’s ongoing Africa T20 Cup campaign.
Last week, the hard-hitting right-hander gathered consecutive centuries against Namibia and Mpumalanga.
“I really think he can go all the way in the T20 format. He just needs opportunities. He is strong farm boy that hits the ball a far way with his long levers,” said Plaatjies.
“It is simply not slogging either – there is process which he follows. He looks to hit straight most of the time – and because his strikes it so cleanly even his mishits go for six.
“He hit one ball all the way out of Buffalo Park. He has the temperament, too.”
Marais’ feat of 300 not out in November 2017 spanned a mere 191 deliveries – and featured 35 fours and 13 sixes.
“I don’t think anyone actually thinks they are going to get 300,” he told The Daily Dispatch at the time.
“I was striking the ball so well. I decided that I was just going to go hard at them and it came off in the end.”