Aiden Markram will captain the Proteas in Wednesday’s ODI against Afghanistan after regular skipper Temba Bavuma was ruled out of the match due to illness.
The Proteas are in the United Arab Emirates where they will take on Afghanistan in three One-Day Internationals over the next week.
They will follow that up by taking on Ireland in a two-match T20I and three-match ODI series in the Middle East.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Markam said the team was in a good place ahead of their upcoming series and future challenges, leading up to next year’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
“I don’t think we have to repeat ourselves and say we’re a team that’s growing at the moment. We’re exposing guys to the next level, which is fantastic so that’s where we’re at at the moment,” Markram said on Tuesday.
“The feeling among the team is that everyone is in a good place and really excited about the series that’s ahead. Not just this ODI series, but we have one soon against Ireland as well. It’s a nice little period for us to play one-day cricket, building up to the Champions Trophy next year.
“Ultimately, we’re here to grow the squad, grow players. But still, having said that, we’re still here to win games against a tough opposition in their home conditions so we’ve got no doubt that this is going to be a really big challenge for us.”
IOL Sport