Aiden Markram will once again take the field in the pink jersey for the Proteas team after a long break in the second ODI against Australia, which is scheduled to take place at the Wanderers stadium on Sunday. Although Temba Bavuma and Mitchell Marsh might be the ones to toss the coin at the Wanderers on Pink Day, all attention will be focused on Markram and Cummins at the Bullyinge.
Both players are returning to their national teams after an extended absence from matches. Markram has not played cricket since early August, when he returned from The Hundred tournament for personal reasons. The Proteas captain in T20 format missed the tour to Namibia and was the only player with a national contract and in form who did not participate in at least one round of domestic First Class cricket.
He also did not attend the opening match against Australia in Kingsmead last Thursday. Markram's last appearance in the 'green and gold' colours was in the T20 World Cup semi-final, where the team lost to New Zealand in early March.
The Proteas team has completed final preparations ahead of the upcoming Pink Day celebration, which will take place in the second ODI of the series at DP World Wanderers. Holding a 1-0 advantage, the team aims to secure the series win in front of a massive home crowd at the Bullyinge.
Before the second ODI, Markram noted: 'It was nice to get a little rest. Under these circumstances, maybe not ideal, but it's great to come back, and it's great that things are going much better at home.' He added that it was pleasant to reconnect with everyone, as they have known each other for a long time, and that they will meet early in the morning the day before the match to start the game.
Cummins' absence is not due to personal circumstances, but a conscious decision by the Australian team management. Since he missed the previous tour in Zimbabwe and arrived in South Africa late, the playing time of the Australian regular captain is regulated along with other fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Priority is given to the upcoming Test series against Proteas and the broader picture of the Test World Cup, rather than white-ball matches.
The match at the Bullyinge is expected to be Cummins' first ODI since facing Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval in November 2024, which was almost two years ago. Despite both players possibly being slightly out of form, Markram has been trying to shake off the 'cobwebs' over the past couple of weeks in training with his domestic league, Titans, and at his former university Tuks; adrenaline will undoubtedly start surging through both of them when they face each other on the field.
These two have enjoyed epic battles over many years, particularly in last year's WTC final at Lord's, when Cummins took six wickets, reducing Proteas to 138 in the first innings, and then Markram responded with a magnificent second-innings century, helping his team achieve its first major ICC trophy in 28 years. Their shared experience playing in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad also speaks to elements of mutual respect between these two when they clash.
Markram commented: 'Well, one thing is that he never disappears. He keeps moving forward. Sometimes you feel it with bowlers when you spend some time and reduce the second, third, fourth spell, especially now in Test matches, it feels a bit different.' He continued: 'But I think with Pat it always feels the same. I believe that is one of his greatest strengths. And then, obviously, the skills behind it—I call it character. So much energy on the ball, he hits hard in a good spot on the bat. And if there is something there, he will definitely find it.'
It is unclear what role Markram will play in the Proteas squad, although coach Shukri Conrad constantly calls him the 'best opening batsman in the country—in all formats'. He hopes to provide Proteas with a strong start, as the home side strives to write another famous chapter in Pink ODI history, aiming to close out a sixth consecutive ODI series victory over their arch-rivals from Australia, who will be without injured wicketkeeper Josh Inglis at both the Wanderers and Port Elizabeth next week.