South Africa’s hold on the game was gradually weakening in the middle overs of the ongoing T20 World Cup, despite their amazing start with the ball against England. Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone came to the fore when the Three Lions were down to 61/4 and needed to do something spectacular to win the match.
Despite their 78-run partnership saving England from certain doom, it proved insufficient in the end. Brook left for 53 runs off 37 deliveries, while Livingstone was out after hammering 33 runs off 17 balls. The moment that changed the course of South Africa’s history came when skipper Aiden Markram made a breathtaking catch to send Brook back to the pavilion, according to keeper-batter Quinton de Kock.
It got harder for Markram as the 29-year-old raced backwards because the ball was flying in the wind’s direction. But he continued to focus on the ball, making an incredible grab that put the Proteas back in the game.
Following the game, Quinton de Kock complimented Markram on his effort and said that he routinely performs these drills, which have helped him in crucial situations.
Indeed, from an outsider’s perspective, I don’t think the TV does it credit. I have a strong wind blowing from the left to the right from the angle of the wicket, coming straight down. Maybe forty or fifty km per hour, I’m not sure. Thus, the ball is being moved in that direction in addition to being pushed. And he really did turn inside out. De Kock stated, “Therefore, the ball is constantly travelling in the direction of the border.”
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“And props to Aiden Markram—I’ve seen him, and I believe a lot of the guys—everyone takes the big catches, but he constantly works on those receptions. When I play for other teams across the world, you don’t really see it because they have other leaders, and I don’t see them really practice those kinds of receptions, but I saw him do it and he won us a game—well, he won us a moment in the game today,” he continued.
South Africa advanced to the semi-finals with the victory. But a lot still hinges on their Super Eights matchup with the West Indies.
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