Hard-working Tristan Stubbs presented with wicketkeeping duties for South Africa against Australia

In the absence of Quinton de Kock, youngster Tristan Stubbs will be seen keeping in the first T20I against Australia in Durban, slated to take place on August 30.  Matthew Breetzke and Donovan Ferreira were available for the wicket-keeping role as well, but the South Africa management kept their faith in Stubbs, as this will be the second time when he will be seen keeping in a professional match.

Regarding the new development, Proteas skipper Aiden Markram mentioned that the 23-year-old is working hard in the nets and has spent hours in the nets to get better at keeping wickets. To add to that, Stubbs can also be a handy bowler, and thus, Markram is really impressed with his all-round skills and expects him to excel in international cricket.

“He has been working really hard over the last couple of weeks and those that know Stubbo well, know he is the kind of guy that will never really leave a stone unturned. He has spent hours and hours practicing his keeping and it’s been great to see.

“From his personal game, it adds another element for him to take forward in his cricketing journey. We’ve seen him do well with the ball and we all know what he can do with the bat, now all of a sudden he has got the gloves,” Markram said in the pre-match press conference.

It’s fantastic to see Keshav Maharaj back on the park: Markram

Keshav Maharaj tore his ligament in a Test against West Indies in March and was expected to miss the rest of the year. However, the cricketer has shown a lot of progress and has been included in South Africa’s squad for the second and third T20I against Australia and also for the ODI series. Speaking about the same, Markram added that he is delighted with the same and lauded the cricketer eventually.

“It’s fantastic to see him back on the park. He has been incredibly committed and motivated to get ahead of schedule in terms of his recovery and today is probably a very special day for him. It’s huge for his career and it’s something he can be incredibly proud of, to get back on the park this soon,” Markram mentioned.