By Krishna Dua 
Can Aiden Markram Lead South Africa in the 3rd ODI?
As South Africa heads into the third and final ODI against Australia on August 24, 2025, at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, the Proteas hold a commanding 2-0 lead, having secured victories by 98 runs in Cairns and 84 runs in Mackay. With the series already won, regular captain Temba Bavuma has been rested for workload management, handing the leadership reins to Aiden Markram for the second time in this series. Markram, who led South Africa in the second ODI, now faces the opportunity to guide his team to a historic 3-0 whitewash against a struggling Australian side. Can his leadership, combined with his batting prowess, steer South Africa to a clean sweep in this decider?
Markram’s captaincy comes at a critical juncture. South Africa’s dominance, driven by Keshav Maharaj’s spin and Lungi Ngidi’s pace, has exposed Australia’s batting frailties, particularly against spin. However, Markram’s own batting form as captain has been inconsistent, with a duck in the second ODI raising concerns. This article examines Markram’s leadership credentials, his batting challenges, South Africa’s strategy, and whether he can orchestrate a complete series victory.
Aiden Markram: The Reluctant Leader
A History of Leadership
Aiden Markram, at 30, is no stranger to captaincy. He led South Africa to the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup title, showcasing early leadership potential. His international captaincy debut came in 2018 against India, when he stepped in for an injured Faf du Plessis at age 23, becoming the second-youngest ODI captain for South Africa after Graeme Smith. Since then, Markram has captained South Africa in T20Is, including the 2024 T20 World Cup, where he guided the Proteas to their first-ever final, though they lost to India. His leadership of Sunrisers Eastern Cape to consecutive SA20 titles in 2023 and 2024 further underscores his tactical acumen.
Markram’s leadership style is understated yet effective. Described by coach Adrian Birrell as a quiet leader who “doesn’t like the limelight,” Markram leads by example, with a fierce will to win. His decision-making, such as promoting Marco Jansen in an SA20 match to shift momentum, highlights his ability to make bold calls. However, posts on X suggest some fans believe captaincy burdens his batting, urging the team to let him focus on his primary role.
Batting Under Pressure
Markram’s batting record against Australia in ODIs is impressive, with 351 runs in his last six innings at an average of 70.2 and a strike rate of 110.7, including a century and three fifties. His 82 off 81 balls in the first ODI of this series set a solid foundation for South Africa’s 296/8. However, his four-ball duck in the second ODI, dismissed by Xavier Bartlett, raised questions about his ability to balance leadership and batting. Historically, Markram has struggled as ODI captain, with just one fifty in 15 innings, averaging 22.66.
His vulnerability against spin, exposed in subcontinental tours, could be a concern on the Mackay pitch, which has favored spinners like Maharaj. Yet, Markram’s elegant strokeplay, particularly through the off-side, and his ability to anchor innings, as seen in his 65-ball 65 in the 2023 World Cup, make him a potential game-changer. For South Africa to aim for a 3-0 sweep, Markram must rediscover his batting fluency while managing the team’s strategy.
South Africa’s Dominance: A Well-Oiled Machine
Bowling Prowess
South Africa’s bowling has been the cornerstone of their series success. Keshav Maharaj’s 5-33 in the first ODI, earning him the top spot in ICC ODI bowling rankings, decimated Australia’s middle order, triggering a collapse from 60-0 to 89-6. In the second ODI, Lungi Ngidi’s five-wicket haul, supported by Nandre Burger’s early breakthroughs, restricted Australia to 193 while defending 277. The inclusion of Senuran Muthusamy, replacing Prenelan Subrayen, added variety to the spin attack, with Muthusamy’s left-arm spin likely to feature prominently in the decider.
With Kagiso Rabada ruled out due to an ankle injury, young Kwena Maphaka could make an impact if selected, bringing fresh pace to the attack. South Africa’s ability to exploit Australia’s weakness against spin, especially on a Mackay pitch expected to offer turn, gives them a significant edge.
Batting Depth
South Africa’s batting has been consistent, with half-centuries from Markram, Bavuma, and Matthew Breetzke in the first ODI, and Breetzke (88) and Tristan Stubbs (74) in the second. Breetzke’s consecutive fifties, equaling a world record from debut, highlight his emergence as a reliable top-order batsman. Stubbs’ aggressive middle-order approach and Wiaan Mulder’s late surge (31 off 26 in the first ODI) provide depth, allowing South Africa to post competitive totals. With Bavuma returning for the third ODI, the top order gains further stability, potentially allowing Markram to play with more freedom.
Australia’s Struggles: A Team in Transition
Batting Collapses
Australia’s batting has been their Achilles’ heel. In the first ODI, they crumbled from 60-0 to 198 all out, with Maharaj’s spin proving too much for Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, and others. The second ODI saw similar issues, with only Josh Inglis (87) offering resistance as they fell to 193 chasing 277. The absence of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell, who retired post-2025 Champions Trophy, has left the middle order exposed, with Labuschagne averaging just 15.22 in his last nine ODI innings. Travis Head’s early aggression (31 in the first ODI) has been a bright spot, but his dismissals have triggered collapses.
Tactical Missteps
Captain Mitchell Marsh’s decision to bowl first in all 21 tosses as captain has been questioned, especially on pitches favoring batting first. The Mackay pitch, with a par score of 320-340, suggests batting first could be advantageous, yet Marsh’s preference for chasing may persist. Australia’s bowling, led by Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa, has been disciplined but lacks the variety to counter South Africa’s batting depth. The inclusion of Xavier Bartlett in the second ODI tightened their new-ball attack, but they need more from their spinners to match South Africa’s prowess.
Markram’s Leadership Challenge
Tactical Acumen
Markram’s captaincy in the second ODI showed promise, with his decision to bat first on a tacky Mackay pitch paying dividends. His proactive use of spinners, introducing Maharaj and Muthusamy early, kept Australia’s batsmen in check. In the third ODI, Markram must continue to exploit Australia’s spin weakness, potentially bringing himself on as an off-spinner to target left-handers like Head. His 4-57 in the first ODI, bowling part-time off-spin, demonstrated his utility as an allrounder.
However, Markram’s inexperience in ODI captaincy—only 15 matches as captain—means he must rely on senior players like Maharaj and Ngidi for on-field support. His ability to manage the bowling attack, especially in the powerplay and death overs, will be crucial. With dew likely to affect the second innings in Mackay, Markram may opt to bat first again to set a daunting target.
Balancing Act
The biggest challenge for Markram is balancing leadership with batting. His duck in the second ODI came under pressure to set a tone as captain, and posts on X reflect fan concerns that captaincy hampers his batting. To succeed, Markram must adopt a focused approach, using his experience from the T20 World Cup to handle pressure. His decision to open with Ryan Rickelton, despite a slow start in the first ODI, paid off, and he may continue this strategy to counter Australia’s pacers.
The Mackay Decider: Key Factors
Pitch and Conditions
The Great Barrier Reef Arena’s pitch has favored spinners, with Maharaj and Muthusamy thriving in the second ODI. A par score of 320-340 suggests a batting-first approach could be ideal, especially with dew under lights making bowling second challenging. Markram’s toss decision will be pivotal—if he wins, batting first could allow South Africa to post a total that exploits Australia’s chasing struggles.
Key Battles
-
Markram vs. Josh Hazlewood: Hazlewood’s metronomic lengths troubled Markram in the second ODI, dismissing him early. Markram’s ability to survive the new ball will set the tone for South Africa’s innings.
-
Maharaj vs. Australia’s Middle Order: Maharaj’s 5-33 in the first ODI exposed Australia’s spin woes. Targeting Labuschagne and Green again will be key.
-
Travis Head vs. Nandre Burger: Head’s aggressive starts have been curtailed by Burger’s pace. This battle in the powerplay could define Australia’s chase.
Can Markram Seal the Sweep?
Strengths to Leverage
Markram’s leadership strengths lie in his calm demeanor and tactical flexibility. His success in the SA20 and T20 World Cup shows he can handle high-pressure situations. With a settled batting line-up, including Breetzke, Stubbs, and the returning Bavuma, South Africa has the firepower to post a big total. The bowling attack, led by Maharaj and Ngidi, is well-equipped to exploit Australia’s weaknesses, giving Markram multiple options to control the game.
Potential Pitfalls
Markram’s batting form remains a concern. His inability to convert starts as captain could dent South Africa’s momentum if he falls early again. Additionally, Australia’s desperation to avoid a whitewash may lead to a more aggressive approach, with Head and Marsh likely to attack from the outset. Markram must ensure his bowlers maintain discipline, especially in the powerplay, to prevent Australia from gaining early momentum.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment
The third ODI offers Aiden Markram a chance to cement his leadership credentials and guide South Africa to a rare 3-0 sweep in Australia. His ability to balance batting and captaincy, make astute tactical decisions, and leverage South Africa’s bowling strength will determine the outcome. While Australia fights to salvage pride, South Africa’s depth and form make them favorites. Markram’s leadership, backed by performances from Breetzke, Stubbs, and Maharaj, could deliver a historic victory, further solidifying South Africa’s dominance in this series. Fans can watch the match live on JioHotstar or Star Sports Network, with the toss at 9:30 AM IST and play starting at 10:00 AM IST on August 24, 2025.