Markram felt 'all of the emotions at once'

WHEN Aiden Markram walked in to open the batting alongside Dean Elgar in Potchefstroom almost a decade ago, there had been a lot said about his potential, with many dubbing him the next Graeme Smith.

- ONGAMA GCWABE

After all, Markram had led the South African Under-19s to World Cup glory a few years prior, and sent the country into a state of happiness.

On that day in Potchefstroom, Markram's 97 on debut further gave the country hope that it had found its next run machine, one that could potentially reach the heights that Smith achieved in his career.

For the next couple of years, he would prove himself against India and Australia at home, bringing up big centuries as he solidified his place as a Test-match opener.

However, a couple of years later, international bowlers finally cracked his code and learned his weakness, and the right-hander struggled.

Eventually, in an attempt to try and keep such a talented player in the team, he was moved down the order, an experiment that also failed in New Zealand and England as the batter battled to make runs.