Markram Demoted, Ngidi Out? Playing XI Changes SA Should Make For 2nd T20I vs AUS

Aashay Chopade

Markram and Nandre Burger for SA (Source:AFP and @ProteasMenCSA/X.com)Markram and Nandre Burger for SA (Source:AFP and @ProteasMenCSA/X.com)

The first T20I between South Africa and Australia turned out to be a disappointing affair for the visitors as the Kangaroos won the game by 17 runs. The Proteas started the game on a bright note with the ball, but could not take advantage of it, and the Aussies managed to reach 178.

On the batting front, South Africa kept losing wickets on a regular basis, and it was only because of Ryan Rickleton's efforts that they got a bit close to the target. Now, with a do-or-die encounter ahead of them, here are the changes that South Africa should make.

Why Aiden Markram Should Demote Himself In The Batting Order?

Criterion
As Opener
At No. 3
At No.4
Innings81922
Runs
217409650
Average27.13
24.0636.11
Strike-Rate173.60129.43146.73

(Aiden Markram's Stats At Different Positions In T20Is)

Aiden Markram is the captain of South Africa, and they need consistent performances from him. He started off as an opener across formats, but then moved to the middle order in white-ball cricket, where he found decent success.

Also, looking at the stats, it is clear that Aiden Markram has performed best at number 4. However, the batter performed brilliantly as an opener for LSG in IPL 2025, scoring 445 runs in 13 matches. It prompted South African management to use him as an opener in the first T20I, but the move did not work. Moreover, it forced Lhuan-dre Pretorius to bat at 3, who is naturally an opener, and he too failed.

South Africa Should Use Lhuan-dre Pretorius At His Natural Position

Thus, if South Africa want to bring the best out of Lhuan-dre Pretorius, they should back him as an opener, a position where he dominated in SA20 and scored a fifty in the tri-series final against New Zealand. Markram's numbers as an opener are better than at number 3, but he has the experience and can perform the role of a number 3 batter. Also, if Markram wants to bat at four, then South Africa can use Dewald Brevis at 3, which would provide the youngster more opportunity to express himself.

Nandre Burger's Extra Pace And Bounce In Place Of Lungi Ngidi

Nandre Burger was out of the action for a long time due to an injury, but made a successful comeback in the tri-series recently. He can generate some raw pace and bounce, which could be helpful for South Africa in Darwin. 

Lungi Ngidi, on the other hand, was expensive in the first match, and though he has a good T20 record, the second game is a good opportunity to try out Burger. It would help South Africa explore their options and combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup, and give Burger the much-needed match practice after injury. 

In the first match, Kwena Maphaka picked four wickets with his left-arm angle and pace. Burger can also trouble the Aussies with the same qualities and could turn out to be lethal.

These are the two changes South Africa should make for the second T20I against Australia. Corbin Bosch did not perform well, but he provides the balance with his all-round skills and should be backed in the absence of Marco Jansen.

South Africa's Strongest XI For 2nd T20I vs Australia

Ryan Rickelton (wk), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Aiden Markram (c), Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs, George Linde, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Nandre Burger