New Test coach Shukri Conrad has insisted the recalled Aiden Markram will open the batting with former captain Dean Elgar during the Proteas’ series against the West Indies from late February to mid-March 2023.
Markram has not played Test cricket since August 2022, but has been a relatively permanent fixture in the ODI and T20I squads.
He was named in the squad for the West Indies series ahead of the dropped Sarel Erwee, who was South Africa’s opener alongside Elgar during the recent Test tour of Australia.
Elgar, meanwhile, has lost the captaincy. He has been retained in the squad, though.
“I say emphatically that Aiden will open the batting with Dean,” said Conrad.
“People are always going to be behind Aiden Markram or they are going to say he flatters to deceive. I’m in the former group. Aiden’s going to open the batting.
“He’s a wonderful cricketer and a stroke-player. Aiden and I go back a long way, so I know his character.
“We’ve got to match characters to our selections and the type of cricket we want to play.”
Markram captained the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the inaugural SA20 title earlier this month.
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