'I know what to expect': Aiden Markram seeks to build on junior T20 World Cup glory

NEW DELHI: Aiden Markram holds a unique advantage as no other South African cricket captain has led a team to victory in a World Cup before.He captained the team that won the 2014 Under-19 World Cup.Acknowledging the ten-year gap since that victory, Markram understands the significant difference between a junior tournament and the men's T20 World Cup. He will lead South Africa's campaign starting against Sri Lanka in New York on Monday."There aren't so many eyes watching you in an age-group tournament, and as a youngster you are maybe a bit oblivious to pressure," Markram told AFP in a telephone interview."Back then it was just a matter of handling what was in front of you. Now there is a lot more planning and preparation and making sure everyone is in a good space."A World Cup is a massive event but I'm fortunate to have been to quite a few so I know what to expect. One thing that hasn't changed is that I'm excited to be part of it," he said.In 2014, Markram led by example, scoring 370 runs at an average of 123.33, earning the title of player of the tournament.He also had the support of the talented fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who was the team's leading wicket-taker and played a key role in dismantling Australia's lineup in the semi-finals.Rabada is the only player from the 2014 squad who will join Markram in the United States and the West Indies.Markram acknowledges that South Africa's T20 results since he and coach Rob Walter took charge early last year have been less than stellar. Under his leadership, the team secured only two wins in eight matches, all of which were played at home.Last week, without Markram and six other Indian Premier League (IPL) players, South Africa lost all three games against the West Indies in Jamaica. Consequently, South Africa enters the World Cup ranked a lowly seventh by the International Cricket Council.However, Markram believes these results don't reflect the team's true potential, noting that South Africa has rarely fielded a full-strength team due to managing player workloads and giving opportunities to new players."We've got a good team," he said.South Africa boasts a potentially powerful batting lineup, featuring talents like Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and the exciting Tristan Stubbs, who was one of the stars of the recent IPL.Among these, only de Kock played against the West Indies.Coach Rob Walter emphasized that he selected bowlers capable of making crucial early strikes in T20 matches. Anrich Nortje, the team's fastest bowler, is a key player but has struggled in the IPL and against the West Indies after returning from a long-term stress fracture."He had a massive injury and a lot of time away from the game but we all back him and know what he can do," said Markram.The South Africa captain, along with Klaasen and Marco Jansen, only arrived at the team's training base in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday night after being involved in the IPL final in Chennai on Sunday."You get used to it," he said of the travel. "It's a reality for a lot of players these days."In a way it is quite nice to get straight into training and getting ready for Monday. Sri Lanka have a great T20 team and it's important to get off to a good start."(With AFP inputs)