Markram set to open the batting in the T20 World Cup

PROTEAS T20I captain Aiden Markram confirmed that he will continue to play as an opening batter through to the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

- ONGAMA GCWABE

In the shortest format of the game, the 30-year-old had been playing as a middle-order batter for the two years that former coach Rob Walter had been in charge, despite having started his career as an opening batter.

The ongoing series against Australia is the first in which the righthanded batter has returned to opening batting for South Africa, a decision that all-format coach Shukri Conrad has made since taking over the T20I and ODI teams. Markram confirmed that the move to the top of the order is not temporary and explained that it is also pushed by the nature of the batters that are currently in the team.

Having been a viable fifth bowling option as well for the past couple of years, the 30-year-old did not confirm whether or not he will continue playing that role, although he finds it exciting.