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Proteas batter Aiden Markram has shed light on the secret behind bowler Sisanda Magala's sensational form of late, which has seen him all but cement his national team spot.
Magala has strung together several impressive performances for the Proteas in recent times, including his career-best 5/43 in nine overs when they thumped the Netherlands by 146 runs in the Pink ODI at the Wanderers on Sunday.
Markram, who also captained the seam bowler to the inaugural SA20 title with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, says Magala is a true warrior who gives his utmost once afforded the necessary backing.
"He's a very basic guy and if he's got backing then he's going to break his back for you. That's how he approaches things. It's great for him to have his achievements, especially through a bit of issues that he's had in this environment. So, the guys love him, he's great value in the changeroom and when he does well, the changeroom is over the moon for him," he said.
The 28-year-old also registered a career-best innings with 175 runs to propel the South Africans to a score of 370 against the Dutch, and pins his upturn in form on his omission from the Test squad that went to Australia over the New Year period.
"At the end of 2022, I suppose, still I was in a good space, I didn't go to Australia. But I understood those reasons and those reasons were completely fair. So, I was about to sort of go back to Titans, trying to score runs, trying to get back into the team. Fortunately in 2023, the team is going okay for us and we are on a good journey if we can keep growing as a team and getting better game to game. I think that's where we are going to strive and be our best," he added.
Meanwhile, though the 2022/23 domestic and international cricket season is now over, coach Rob Walter will be keeping a keen eye on the Indian Premier League, where no less than 10 Proteas will be in action over the next six to eight weeks.
"I think the main thing is to make sure that each player has got a clear directive in terms of what they'd like to get out of it for South Africa. It's a great opportunity for our players to go play under pressure. It's a great opportunity for them to develop their skills. It's a higher level of cricket, so being able to manage hard-pressure moments and do that well, then it can only build well for our team," Walter said.
