South African batsman Aiden Markram will play English county cricket for Hampshire later this year.
- ‘The 24-year-old batsman will feature in both domestic red-ball and white-ball competitions until early May,’ said Hampshire Cricket. This means Markram will effectively be available for two County Championship Division One and seven or eight One-Day Cup fixtures.
- He will play alongside former Proteas cricketers Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott, who ended their international careers in 2016 and 2107 respectively, by signing Kolpak contracts.
- He will likely play against recent ex-Proteas fast bowler Duanne Olivier, who also went the Kolpak route, in the County Championship Division One against Yorkshire in Southampton in early April.
- He will probably face former Proteas fast bowler Morne Morkel during a late April One-Day Cup clash at The Oval in London.
- He will gather valuable experience at many of South Africa’s seven 2019 World Cup venues – The Oval, Lord’s, Ageas Bowl, Sophia Gardens, Edgbaston, Old Trafford and Rose Bowl.
- He will work alongside former Proteas assistant coach Adrian Birrell again. Birrell left the Proteas and joined Hampshire as head coach late last year.
- He will play alongside England batsman James Vince, who is pushing for inclusion in England’s Ashes squad.
- He will be former West Indies fast bowler Fidel Edwards’ teammate, who has become an integral part of Hampshire’s bowling attack.
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