The story of Aiden Markram- an overlooked prodigy in SA's domestic circuit

When Quinton De Kock got his call-up, soon after a brilliant U-19 campaign in Australia, where the Proteas colts finished third behind India and Australia, that was on the back of some impressive performances from the wicketkeeper batsman. De Kock amassed 284 runs and instigated 5 dismissals during the course of the tournament. Soon the U-19 player was enrolled by his home state franchise Highveld Lions and in the CLT20 at home, he made a big impression to be called up for selection.

In all fairness, De Kock got his selection because of his wicket-keeping skills mingled with the Proteas’ quota system, which meant that in De Villiers’ absence, he became Mark Boucher’s replacement .

So, when somebody like Aiden Markram can become the Man of the Series in the 2014 U-19 campaign, where he led his team to their first ever World Cup triumph as a skipper, why is he not picked by a top domestic franchise? When Kagiso Rabada, who played in the same tournament can make his debut so soon, why cannot the captain of his U-19 team? Why is he only picked up by the Northerns team and not by any Ram Slam franchise?

Discrepancies in domestic structure

Firstly, coming to the South African provincial league, the Northerns Cricket Team is basically an under-performing team who have won their first ever major since 2006, by hoisting the Africa T20 cup. In comparison, teams like Gauteng, where De Kock has been playing since 2009-2010, is a top provincial team, which has won more than 40 titles, which includes the South African Airways Three-Day Challenge titles for the past two seasons.

Similarly, players like Andile Phelukwayo who also featured in the same triumphant U-19 team got picked up by the Dolphins this season, where Kevin Pietersen took them to the finals. The reason being his provincial team- Kwa-Zulu Natal- another team which has a rich trophy cabinet and from where many South African national team players had been picked in the past.

This is one of the ironical circumstances in South Africa’s provincial cricket system. The player who has led his country to their first ever World Cup triumph, at any level, is looked down upon like this.

When Virat Kohli’s U-19 team won the World Cup in Malaysia, he was immediately offered a contract by the Royal Challengers Bangalore. When Mitchell Marsh-led Australia won the next edition, he was offered an IPL contract by Deccan Chargers and later by Pune Warriors (the next season), but for Markram, despite his achievement, he still has not made it to any Ram Slam franchise, let alone be any IPL contract.

In this very way, Cricket South Africa cruelly forces quality players out of recognition and selection radar. Markram, who just like De Kock, played the U-19 and performed even better than him, is still allowed to showcase his talent for the Northerns, which has often been the home to players like Vaughn van Jaarsveld(now their captain), who has been constantly overlooked for selection.

Problems within the national side

Coming to the limited-overs setup of South Africa, though it is relatively potent in all facets, yet the inconsistency of the middle-order always resurfaces, after any series. It is primarily due to the fact that they struggle while chasing, as at times when good foundations are not laid up front, they fail to deliver and steady the ship. Though Duminy’s all-round skills often come handy, when he fails with the bat, David Miller and Farhaan Behardien cannot exactly be defined as consistent.

So when the middle-order fails so frequently, why no alteration is being made, especially when the domestic circuit is producing players like Sybrand Engelbrecht and Aidan Markram? Why Rille Rossouw is still pursued in the T20 setup, when he has scored only a couple of half-centuries in ten odd T20 international outings?

Though De Kock may qualify simply as the wicket-keeper in the side, what about Rossouw and Miller? Miller, by the way, has not registered a single T20I fifty yet. Though many would argue about his potential and batting position, yet whenever he is promoted to five or even asked to open, he has still failed in his steps.

Overlooked Markram

So, taking into consideration the quota system in place (where they have to field seven ‘whites’ and Markram obviously qualifies), and the unstable, topsy-turvy middle order that they have, why is Aidan Markram yet not in the selection radar simply due to his batting?

The very possibility is applicable in the Test arena as well, where South Africa is in the process of re-building. The young likes of Rabada and Temba Bavuma are certainly making headlines, and if they can groom a future captain in Markram, it would be all for good.

At a time when they are giving players like Dane Villas and Stiaan Van Zyl long-term opportunities to make an impression, why is it that Markram gets left behind? In first-class cricket for the Northerns, he averages above 37 with a 50 percent century conversion rate, which is pretty high for a 21-year old youngster, in the making.

Though many would still suggest he is only 21 and would in the near future get his chances, yet considering the misuse of potential in the rainbow nation’s domestic circuit, he may be another Vaughn Van Jaarsveld in South Africa, despite his strong captaincy potential and batting prowess. South Africa should start nurturing players like Markarm, with more caution and care, otherwise they would lose these skilled-players in the future.