• Markram: Proteas closer to fullest potential

    Published on

    Aiden Markram hailed an impressive display as the Proteas powered past New Zealand in their toughest group-stage test.

    South Africa produced their most complete performance of the T20 World Cup on Saturday, chasing down 175 with 17 balls to spare in Ahmedabad.

    The captain led from the front with 86* off 44 balls as the Proteas cruised to a seven-wicket win.

    “We were definitely a lot closer to the fullest of potential tonight,” Markram said.

    “I thought pretty much all areas were really good. It just came from clarity and conviction in that plan, or that ball you’re going to bowl, or the approach you’re going to take towards a certain bowler with the bat.

    “It’s nice to see the boys slowly but surely improving, getting better and better. Tonight was all around a really good performance.”

    HIGHLIGHTS: New Zealand vs Proteas (T20 World Cup)

    David Miller’s 24* off 17 wrapped up the contest in the 18th over, a far cry from the chaos of the double Super Over thriller against Afghanistan earlier in the week.

    “You want to win games like that, it goes a long way for the confidence and for the vibe and the atmosphere within the sheds,” Markram added. “But it’s a lot more comfortable putting together slightly more clinical performances.

    “The aim will always be for it to feel like it felt tonight. It’s not always going to work out that way, but it’s definitely a slightly easier one to deal with, mentally at least.”

    AFRICA PICKS: India vs Pakistan – T20 World Cup betting preview

    The Proteas’ final group match is against the UAE in Delhi on Wednesday.

    Photo: Prakash Singh/Getty Images

    Post by

    Simon Borchardt