Former captain and renowned administrator Ali Bacher has suggested batsman Aiden Markram succeed Proteas Test captain Faf du Plessis with immediate effect.

Du Plessis has faced plenty of criticism after South Africa sunk to a heavy 3-0 Test series defeat to India. Markram, meanwhile, has been sidelined by wrist injury after hitting an object in frustration during the second Test in Pune.

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‘I am Faf’s biggest supporter and admirer. But it’s time. If you look at the Australia squad, they had just won the 1999 World Cup in England, under the leadership of Steve Waugh. Shortly afterwards, the national selectors said they needed a change in captaincy. Steve wasn’t happy but they appointed Ricky Ponting,’ Bacher was quoted as saying by the Saturday Star.

‘The change paid off. I don’t want to be disrespectful to Faf, but we have to move forward and show vision.’

Markram’s injury was assessed by an orthopaedic surgeon last week and the wrist has been put in a cast for six weeks.

He has been ruled out of the Paarl Rocks’ Mzansi Super League campaign. Cape Cobras wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne has replaced him in the Rocks’ squad.

‘Aiden is a natural leader. He captained the Under-19 national team that won the Under-19 World Cup in Dubai. He had a little rough spot in India but he’s 25 years old, make him captain now and give him a few years to show his worth,’ added Bacher.

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