Proteas batsman Aiden Markram says the ODI team are looking to start with a clean slate in their buildup to the 2023 World Cup in India.

The South Africans will face off against Pakistan on Friday in only their third ODI series since the 2019 World Cup in England.

Given the lack of games due to Covid-19 disruptions to scheduled tours, Markram believes the upcoming three encounters with Pakistan will mark a new beginning for the ODI team.

‘There are still a couple of years until 2023, but it is a great time to start fresh as an ODI team. It’s been a while since the ODI team last played, from a Proteas perspective. Certainly a new chance to start fresh,’ Markram said at a media conference on Wednesday.

The right-hander enjoyed a brilliant season in the longer format, where he starred with the bat for the Titans and Proteas.

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This is, however, the first time since the Proteas’ final match of that 2019 World Cup that Markram is in line to play an ODI.

The 26-year-old is also excited about the influence that newly appointed limited-overs captain Temba Bavuma has had on the camp so far.

‘Under Temba’s guidance we have been brilliant so far this week. It is encouraging the brand of cricket he would like the Proteas to play. It is exciting that we have got a couple of years to build on something and hopefully when 2023 comes, the team knows exactly what each person’s role is under the brand of cricket everyone wants.’

Friday’s clash with Pakistan will get under way at 10am at SuperSport Park before the Pink Day ODI takes place at the Wanderers on Sunday.