Just over seven years and a month ago Aiden Markram struck a masterful 152 against Australia at the Wanderers.
It was his second century of the drama-filled 2017/18 series, and it helped the Proteas seal a first-ever series win over the Aussies post-isolation.
At 23 years old, the former ICC U19 World Cup-winning captain had the world at his feet, and was touted to carry on the Proteas batting torch left behind by the legendary AB de Villiers, who was playing in his last Test.
It has not always gone according to the script for Markram since. Despite being precociously talented, as those heady days at the Bullring can attest to when Markram dispatched both the pace of Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon’s off-spinners with equal disdain, there have been periods where it seemed it might all go to waste.
Most great players have been dropped at some point in their careers, but Markram suffered this fate on two occasions in the Test side. The second axing during the high-profile England series and then subsequently left out altogether from the touring squad to Australia – despite his previous success against the Aussies – seemed set to consign the former prodigy to solely white-ball cricket.
“I was heartsore not to be in Australia but I was told quite clearly as to the reason why I wasn’t on the tour. As batters, we need runs on the board and if you are not scoring runs in a team that wants to compete with the best in the world, your position should be under scrutiny,” Markram said at the time.
However, a change in leadership ensued after the Australian series with Shukri Conrad – a long-time Markram admirer – tasked with steering the Proteas red-ball ship.
It also coincided with the advent of Betway SA20, where Markram led the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the first of their two back-to-back titles.
Conrad had no hesitation in reinstating Markram to the top of the Proteas Test order for his first series in charge against the West Indies at home back in February 2023.
The faith was repaid instantly with Markram being awarded the Player of the Series for his sum total of 276 runs, which included a century in the first Test at Centurion followed by 96 in the second at the Wanderers.
And even though Markram’s white-ball form has been inconsistent during the intervening period, the now 30-year-old averages 40.38 in Test cricket – in comparison to his overall 35.71 – for the past 12 Tests under Conrad’s tutelage.
Only captain Temba Bavuma within the Proteas batting line-up averages more with 57.78 during the same period.
Markram has certainly benefited from having Conrad firmly in his corner whenever the tide turns against him.
“I don’t know what the problem is or even why there is a conversation about Aiden,” Conrad has said before.
“He’s the best opening batter in the country, and he will continue to play and be a leader in the Test side. He is a hell of a player.”
This vote of confidence was once again rubber stamped when Conrad announced the 15-player squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s.
Conrad quashed all speculation around the make-up of the opening combination by confirming that Markram would open the batting with Ryan Rickelton against the Aussies despite Tony de Zorzi returning to fitness.
It would hardly have influenced the decision, but the fact that Markram is currently enjoying his best-ever IPL season with the Lucknow Super Giants, surpassing 400 runs for the first time, is the icing on Conrad’s cake.
The fact that the Super Giants are also out of the running for the IPL playoffs will mean that Markram will also enjoy a much-needed break to refresh and recharge before taking on the mighty Aussies again.
