Markram ready to help injury-hit Proteas bowling attack

Markram does not know whether he will be asked to bowl in the Test series against Australia, which starts at Kingsmead on Friday, but he is making sure he is ready if the team needs him, he told SportsBoom.

“From a preparation and training point of view, I will leave no stone unturned, make sure I’m ready so that if Temba and the team need me on the day, I’ll try to do a job for them,” he said.

The part-time off-spinner has history against these opponents. Two of his six Test wickets came in the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord’s, where he had Steve Smith caught at slip for 66 in Australia’s first innings and later removed Josh Hazlewood to end their second.

He is realistic about how likely that is. “I’ve no idea (that I will bowl in the Tests), to be honest. But if called upon, I’ll make sure I’m ready. Test cricket especially, you never quite know when you might be needed,” he said.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing against Australia,” Markram said. He described the rivalry as a good watch. “Two teams (SA and Australia) that are hugely competitive and have a very strong will to win, and because of that, I think it puts on a pretty good show and viewing of cricket,” he said.

With Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman all hit by hamstring injuries, the batters carry extra weight.

“I’m excited for that. From my point of view, I want to get the team off to good starts and bat for as long as I can really and try to have a really good impact on the game and set games up for us so that our bowlers can do the rest,” Markram said.

“If we’re going to have a good series, the top order needs to pull up or at least show up and do their thing. We’re quite excited by that,” he added.

He knows that is not always easy against Australia.

“That’s always the role, I guess, and what we want to do, but it doesn’t always work out. Obviously, it’s a good bowling attack that Australia has with a new ball,” he said.

“We’ll be challenged, but it’s a challenge that excites us, and hopefully we can, again, put on a good show and get the team into some good positions.”

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