SOUTH AFRICA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2017

Aiden Markram to stay on with South Africa Test squad

Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on Mon, 10 Jul, 2017, 08:57 PM

Markram will also not feature in the home series against India A, scheduled to start on July 26. © Getty

South Africa youngster Aiden Markram has been asked to stay on with the senior Test squad in England. Markram, who led South Africa Under-19 side to World Cup glory in 2014, was set to lead the A team against Australia A but with the latter cancelling their tour, the batsman will remain in England. Markram will also not feature in the home series against India A, scheduled to start on July 26.

Markram had been drafted into the side as cover for captain Faf du Plessis, who missed the first Test at Lord's because of the birth of his child. Du Plessis has now returned but Cricket South Africa has opted to retain Markram so he could gain some experience and provide an extra batting option.

Despite the show of faith from the team management, Markram's wait for a Test debut is only likely to extend, considering South Africa will aim to bounce back from their Lord's Test defeat and will look at experienced heads in the squad for the turnaround. Du Plessis will come straight back into the line-up, perhaps at the expense of a struggling JP Duminy. South Africa may refrain from chopping and changing further, restricting Markram's takeaways from the bench for now.

The second Test of the four-match series will be played at Trent Bridge in Nottingham from July 14, where England will hope to further dent the Kagiso Rabada-less South Africa in their quest for an unassailable lead in the series.

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