New Delhi, Feb 17 (NationPress) Albie Morkel, South Africa’s coaching consultant, has praised the captaincy of Aiden Markram, stating that he consistently elevates his performance when tournament pressure mounts. Morkel emphasized that Markram is a commendable leader who has garnered the admiration of his teammates.

Markram's aggressive play was evident as he scored a rapid 19-ball half-century while chasing down 176 runs against New Zealand in Ahmedabad, finishing with an impressive 86 not out that paved the way for a decisive win. He has accumulated 150 runs in three innings, boasting an average of 75 and a striking rate of 179.

Since the beginning of 2025, Markram has scored 1,557 runs in 48 T20 innings, averaging 37.1 with a strike rate of 148, including 13 half-centuries and one century. However, his performance as South Africa's T20I captain has shown a significant improvement.

After failing to score a fifty in his first 33 T20I innings as captain, he has hit four half-centuries in the last eight innings, indicating a notable upswing that aligns with South Africa's current run rate of 10.1, the highest among all teams.

"It’s a complex situation, but Aiden is a player who thrives in significant tournament settings. The majority of our players had strong showings during the SA20, which is crucial as we head into a World Cup with players in form. He knows precisely when to elevate his game," Morkel remarked during a press conference ahead of their final Group D match against the UAE on Wednesday.

The conversation leading up to the tournament has also highlighted the dynamic Dewald Brevis, whose explosive batting has made him a notable figure in the lineup. Despite not yet finding his form in the World Cup, Morkel remains optimistic about Brevis’s potential.

"We see him as an x-factor player. Restricting his style would diminish that quality. He can be a game-changer, but he might also let you down at times," he added.

On the bowling side, Morkel discussed how effective South Africa has been with their seam and slower deliveries, emphasizing the importance of returning to fundamental skills rather than relying solely on complex variations.

"We’ve been training in Ahmedabad, where the batting conditions have been favorable. Bowlers have limited options, and batters excel at hitting sixes. The focus is on disrupting their rhythm and reducing scoring opportunities," he noted.

Morkel also addressed the challenges faced by South African bowlers during the death overs, stating that local pitches are not always conducive to T20 cricket, leading to difficulties in executing plans.

"In South Africa, the pitches are not always ideal for T20, allowing bowlers to get away with subpar performances. Here, particularly at this time of year, the pitches are still good, emphasizing the need for strong yorkers, a skill that seems to be fading globally," he explained.

Despite Kagiso Rabada's struggles, Morkel remains confident in his capabilities. "It's not a worry. Every bowler experiences ups and downs. He remains our leading fast bowler, and we will continue to support him," Morkel said.

Conversely, Lungi Ngidi has been performing well, taking eight wickets at an economy rate of 7.6. Morkel praised him for becoming increasingly unpredictable in high-pressure situations.

"Ngidi has a strong T20 record and a deceptive slow ball that he uses effectively. He keeps batsmen guessing, which is key to his success," Morkel concluded.