Aiden Markram vows improvement after T20I series defeat against WI
What's the story
South Africa's T20I skipper Aiden Markram has pledged to identify and address areas of weakness in the team's performance, following two consecutive defeats against the West Indies.
Despite a strong showing in the T20 World Cup that saw them reach the finals, SA are currently trailing 0-2 in the three-match away series.
The team's performance has been marked by struggles across all departments.
Batting struggles
South Africa's batting woes in T20I series
In the second T20I held in Trinidad, South Africa fell short by 30 runs in response to West Indies's total of 179.
The team's run chase began promisingly with opener Reeza Hendricks scoring a quickfire 44 off just 18 balls.
However, after his dismissal, none of the other batters maintained momentum.
This resulted in six players ending their innings with single-digit scores, highlighting a significant concern for the team management.
Acknowledgment
Markram acknowledges West Indies' bowling prowess
Markram acknowledged the superior performance of the West Indies bowlers during the middle overs of their innings.
"They bowled really well in the back end of the middle overs. They made scoring tough," he stated in a post-match presentation.
He expressed his eagerness for improvement and optimism about future games, saying, "We'll identify areas where we can get better at. Looking forward to the next game, hopefully, we can put up a better show."
Stellar performance
Shepherd shines in West Indies's victory
Romario Shepherd, the West Indies all-rounder, was named Player of the Match for his exceptional bowling performance.
He took three wickets while conceding only 15 runs in his four overs.
Reflecting on his performance post-match, Shepherd said he was "very pleased" and emphasized the importance of staying calm and focusing on each ball individually.
His strategy involved hitting the deck as much as possible with change-ups, a tactic that proved successful in this match.
Series lead
West Indies secure lead in T20I series
In the first match of the series, Nicholas Pooran's unbeaten 65 off just 26 balls helped West Indies secure a seven-wicket win and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Despite Tristan Stubbs's impressive 76 off 42 balls and Patrick Kruger's solid 44 off 32 balls for SA, it was Pooran who stole the show with his explosive batting.
His innings included seven sixes and two fours, demonstrating his destructive capabilities.