Markram wary of 'fresh start' in semi

PROTEAS captain Aiden Markram believes his team's comprehensive victory over New Zealand in the group stages has no bearing on today's ICC Men's T20 World Cup semifinal (starts 3.30pm) at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

- ZAAHIER ADAMS

PROTEAS captain Aiden Markram.

(AFP)

Markram's men thrashed the Black Caps by seven wickets in Ahmedabad in their final Group 3 encounter before the Super 8 stage. The Proteas have since gone on an unbeaten run stretching seven matches heading into the semis.

The Kiwis have endured a trickier road to the semis, having their Super 8 match against Pakistan rained out and losing to England before beating Sri Lanka to progress to the knockout stages. Markram, though, believes the semifinal is a "fresh start" for everyone.

"We had a good run out against them in the group stages but, yeah, both teams have played a lot of cricket since then," he said.

"Quality team New Zealand, they've proved that over many years. It's a completely fresh start (today) and it being the semifinal which is exciting as well, so I don't think it's as straightforward as just being able to repeat that again. I wish cricket was that easy.