Aiden Markram

I think it is safe to say that our next best opening batsman has been found.
I have been following Markram's advances over the past 4 years.

1. He started off as the U19 captain (same side that KG played in)
2. He was the leading run scorer in the competition
3. He captained the SA team to win the tournament
4. He has scored consistently for the Titans over the past 2 seasons.
5. He has a solid temperament
6. He has a good technique off both front and back foot

The only trouble is he has the wrong surname.

 Ah, this was meant for the cricket section. Apologies.

No worries....hahaha.

 Just wondering why ou r expert on this site is not going for Aidan Markham in his normal style of attacks on younger sportsmen - after all he is only 22 years of age.  Suspect he does not even know about Markham's existence.  

 Yip...
Now I'd even go so far as to say he'll be our "next test captain".

Geez it took you six whole months to reach that conclusion....are you sure you've thought it through?

 moz, he made his debut on the weekend.
so i was just commenting in relation to that.

Just kidding....looking forward to seeing him play.

 Yip, I believe he will be our saving grace for many years to come.
He looks very composed as well!
All of a sudden we have a dearth of talented batsmen coming through...

Markram
Wiaan Mulder
Zubayr Hamza
Dayyaan Galiem
and a few others too...

Now we just need a new opening partner for Rabada.

Chippo, that's not a "dearth", it's more like a "plethora".

A dearth of something is a lack of something.

 ah... sorry mate....
100% correct.

 I'm not sure why the powers that be held off on AM when he was an obvious choice above the likes of Cook and Kuhn. His selection is a breath of fresh air in the midst of all the gloom facing Protea cricket. I wish the lad well, he looks the real deal although I detect one technical fault which hopefully won't hold him back from developing into a fine player.

 Denny, it was protocol to give Cook and Kuhn a fair chance, but kudos to the selectors for noticing that they were not going to consistently perform.

I've followed Cook's progress over the past decade... he is very much a 100 or 0 player unfortunatly, and his tenure as the Protea opener reflected as much.

 Chippo
That kind of approach can cost us dearly - look for instance at Malan - who is now playing for England.   Pietersen was another such case.

 Exactly right Mike....it's not a case of "can"...it has. 
What is the sense of debuting a 33yr old as opposed to investing in a long term career for a promising 22yr old. 

 @Mike, not entirely sure what you are saying?

Chippo 
I am worried about sidelining younger players ending up in another country.   Malan was good enough to at least play in one or two T20 games - which would have prevented him from going to play for England.  Matter of fact he could not even get a local franchise contract.  He however, did very well for England in the recent series.
There is a real danger that we can lose talented players if they do not get opportunities in SA - especially since SA will at some stage or another will have to replace quite a number of aging players,
The same type of thing happened in rugby and see where we are now.  

 But they are getting opportunities...
Mostly in T20's
If you look at our recent T20 squads, it featured new, upcoming talents.
So not sure what you are talking about?

Mike, exactly which young players would you give chances to that haven't been given them already?

De Bruyn, Makram, Olivier, Paterson, Phelukwayo, Ngidi

Who else has earned it?

I know the temptation is to throw in a Wiaan Mulder, but the boy's 18! He's been considered for the squads against Bangladesh which is great though! 

Jason Smith? Again maybe, he's young though

The idea of selecting a player for the sole purpose of stopping him from making future career moves is dishonest and nothing short holding them ransom. Sports people who leave to carve open a career abroad are often talked down as not having the balls to fight for a spot in a team, etc, etc, etc. Packing up and moving abroad is not something that many decide on lightly.

 Sorry -  but the latest Dunce contribution is utter BS as per normal with him.

Spot on Vlag.

 Occasionally ou windpomp makes a solid post. Its the greats however who make the difference, are there any on the horizon who may fit the bill?

All the talk about new and younger players is a bit unconvincing while useless players like Behardien and Parnell are still in the team.

 During the apartheid era it was always a bit sad to see so many talented Saffas either out of it altogether or becoming half-hearted Poms and Aussies.

 Well that's become a mute topic in this forum, it touches a raw nerve, besides it doesn't seem like some have learnt the lessons of the past. The oppressed were never given a chance simply because of the colour of their skin, whether by legislation and/or the media, and as far as the vast majority of white South Africans were concerned the oppressed were wiped....hard to believe but it's true. That said there were plenty of talented black sports people around that would have made the national sides and it's sad to say the world will never know them. 

 Aidan Markram is no doubt a good cricketer - however, there is one thing he is better at.    His taste in se3lection of a girl friend is better - she is spectacular,   Was at the game yesterday and w iping of tears when he4 made his century.     

"During the apartheid era it was always a bit sad to see so many talented Saffas either out of it altogether...." Where exactly did you see them?

 A very promising start by Markram and we will see how he goes against better attacks.Its a good idea to start off young players against the likes of Bangladesh.

 I see Markram, E lgar, Amla and Faf have now all got centuries 530 for 3!

 Followed by 28 runs from 26 balls from De Kock - the captain declared the innings closed and the Bangla Desh batsmen will now have to show real mettle.