After losing the third T20I of the series against West Indies, South Africa skipper Aiden Markram stated that his team wasn’t up to the mark with the bat. Notably, chasing a target of 221 runs, Proteas started really well, with Reeza Hendricks and Rilee Rossouw firing all guns. The opener smashed 83 runs off 44 deliveries, while Rossouw played a quick cameo of 42 runs off 21 deliveries.
They eventually stitched an important 80-run partnership but post that, they fell like a house of cards as Alzarri Joseph wreaked havoc with the ball. South Africa in the end lost the match by seven runs and the series 2-1. Following the defeat, Aiden Markram opened up and revealed that they wanted to restrict the visiting side to 160 or 170 but eventually ended up conceding 50 more runs.
“It was a good game in the end for the neutral watcher. We let ourselves down with the bat a little. We fell a few runs short at the end of it. Have to give the bowlers credit for the way they responded after Sunday,” Markram said in the post-match presentation ceremony as quoted by India Today.
“There was a stage where we would have wanted to wrap it up for 160-170. Barring the last three overs, we were really good. Anything under 200 was the goal. 220 was perhaps par. To lose is not great but we are on the right path and good to see the boys respond in each game,” the 28-year-old added.
Markram opens up on his maiden series as captain
In his first series as the skipper of the South African team, Aiden Markram suffered a series defeat at the hands of the West Indies. Speaking about his experience, Markram stated that he enjoyed his time in the middle but eventually admitted that it was after all a challenging task.
“It was thoroughly enjoyable. Challenging at times but the team is on a journey and it is a good sign to see the boys responding game after game,” Markram concluded.