After being widely criticised for being given an easier path than other teams in the last edition of the World Test Championship, stand-in captain Aiden Markram hopes the Proteas can eliminate those issues this time as they open the new edition of the global championship against tough opposition.
Having won the final against Australia at Lord’s earlier this year, the SA team will face Pakistan and India away from home in their first two assignments of the 2025-2027 Test Championship.
First they will turn out in two matches against Pakistan starting on Sunday, and then they will travel to India for two games next month.
“It will be two massive challenges and I think it will send a little bit of a statement if we have two successful tours,” said Markram, who was filling in as captain against Pakistan with regular skipper Temba Bavuma ruled out due to a calf strain.
“That’s how the scheduling has worked out, and as a team you want to be challenged and play the best in their conditions, and I feel that’s what’s ahead for us these next two or three months.
“It’s an exciting opportunity, and something I’m pretty sure the guys will be quite excited about, the thought of trying to win in Asia.”
A target on their back
Markram admitted the Proteas were the team to beat after winning the world title in the last edition of the Test Championship, but he said they were ready to put up a fight in an attempt to retain their crown.
“I suppose you do create a bit of a target on your back if you’ve won, so it’s completely fair if that is the case, and from our point of view we want to chase that again and lift that same trophy once again,” Markram said on Monday ahead of the squad’s departure.
“So each team will come for you, and you as a team also have to keep getting better and improving, and play well in all different types of conditions.
“It will start for us in Pakistan and it’s a challenge the boys will be up for.”
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