Markram believes 2-test series will be helpful in the Final given the fact that “There’s no second dip at it”.
Markram believes playing two-Test series throughout WTC cycle could help South Africa in the final.
One unforeseen advantage of South Africa’s two-Test series schedule during the World Test Championship is that it helps them get off to a fast start, which might be useful in a one-off final. Or at least, three days before the most important Test matches in his and his teammate’s lives, Aiden Markram came up with and is adhering to that line.
During their 2012 tour to England, where South Africa looked sluggish and England reached 267 for 3 on the opening day, it was a notable instance of South Africa’s slow pace of play. Even though they had a whole new generation of players, they came back to win that match, the series, and the mace. Because of how few Test matches South Africa has played, they do not have the luxury of taking their time in a one-off final, nor have they had it throughout the cycle.
“A lot of our series have been two-game series, so in order to win, you can’t start slow. That’s helped us along the way,” Markram said after South Africa’s first training session at Lord’s. “We know the importance of starting well, trying to get ahead of the game early and how important each session is going to be. There’s no second dip at it. We have to make sure we hit the ground running and are nice and sharp come day one.”
It is well known that South Africa’s batting is their weakest area, so everyone will be watching to see how they respond to Australia’s highly anticipated assault. Markram is aware of this and feels prepared after a few days of facing his own bowlers in the nets.
“When you’re opening the batting, obviously your responsibility is to calm the changing room down, get the team off to a good start and get us ahead of the game,” he said. “That’s the challenge, that’s what excites us. When you’re preparing against your bowlers who are world-class, it can only help you as a batter, as uncomfortable as it can be at times. But that’s the gauge – that you judge where your game is at.”