Markram has made a return to Proteas ODI squad for the last two games of this series.
Aiden Markram has been provided with a wonderful opportunity to claim his place in South Africa's squad for this year's ICC Cricket World Cup. The right-handed opening batsman has made a timely return to the ODI side despite being left-out at the beginning of this home summer. But at the same time, it is important for him to not look too far ahead and lose focus over the present something that even Markram acknowledged.
"In the last couple of weeks I was obviously left out of the squad, and rightly so," he was quoted saying by ESPNcricinfo before the fourth ODI against Sri Lanka in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday, March 13. "The numbers just weren't good enough. Since then, it's been a case of trying to take the selection out of my mind."
"I've been with the Titans for a couple of weeks now, and I've just been trying to invest my efforts and energy into that team. I'm going to come here with the exact same mindset. I'm going to try and be full of energy and full of positive vibes for the side, and then we'll see what happens."
Runs made for domestic franchise Titans in the list A competition have allowed the 24-year-old to make a comeback. But Markram realises that the tough competition for a slot in the playing XI remains, especially in a side that has achieved three consecutive wins in this series and has an unassailable 3-0 lead over its opposition.
"There was a stage where it was really important to me," he added. "It was something that I really wanted to make happen. But like most things in life, once you experience a low, you put a lot of things into perspective. The good old cliche, it really is not the end of the world."
"Having said that, it would be an absolute dream come true. And I'd fight tooth and nail to try to get into that squad. By no means am I just floating about and hoping to get in. I'm trying my best to get in. But things have been put in perspective. Whether it happens or not, it sits easily with me. I ideally just want the Proteas side to go there and really win the World Cup for the country. That's really it," Markram signed off.