SA A captain Aiden Markram expects India A to bounce back hard when the sides clash in the second four-day match in Potchefstroom on Saturday.
Captain Aiden Markram is looking forward to seeing a strong final push from his team as they look to wrap up the series at Senwes Park Stadium, after their emphatic 235-run win in Pretoria on Tuesday.
‘I was very pleased with the way that the team as a whole went about playing that first game at Tuks,’ he said. ‘The batsmen set us up quite nicely in both innings, with the bowlers backing them up in exceptional fashion.
‘I was really impressed with the way that the spinners, in particular, navigated the difficult patches and how the seamers applied the pressure up front. Everyone played the brand of cricket that we’ve been discussing throughout the tour, and it’s done a lot for the team’s confidence going into the next game.’
Looking ahead to their last encounter, the skipper hopes to see his charges step it up a notch, admitting that he expects India to come back stronger.
‘They are a really impressive outfit and we are not going to rest on our laurels and hope for the best in the second game,’ he continued. ‘Everyone will need to be at their best to take on a wounded Indian side. They will not make this an easy match and we expect them to bounce back hard.
‘That being said, we really just want to worry about our own game and our own brand of cricket and make improvements where they are needed. Everyone is clear on the role they play and what the team needs from them.
‘We’re still looking for that perfect game, but we’re getting closer every time we play. Tomorrow is going to be yet another opportunity for us to put our best foot forward as a team and to achieve our goals.’
South Africa A four-day team: Aiden Markram (Titans, capt), Stephen Cook (Highveld Lions), Junior Dala (Titans), Beuran Hendricks (Highveld Lions), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), David Miller (Knights), Duanne Olivier (Knights), Dane Paterson (Cape Cobras), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Omphile Ramela (Highveld Lions), Rudi Second (Knights), Jason Smith (Cape Cobras), Shaun von Berg (Titans), Khaya Zondo (Dolphins).
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
