Aiden Markram: “I don’t think he needs to take the blame for this. It’s completely down to the players”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

South Africa stand-in captain Aiden Markram has made it clear that batting coach Dale Benkenstein should not be held responsible for the Proteas’ disastrous performance in the ODI series against India.

South Africa put up yet another disappointing performance with the bat in the sixth ODI in Centurion on Friday as they were bowled out for 204.

With India captain Virat Kohli scoring an unbeaten 129, the tourists waltzed their way to an eight-wicket win and a 5-1 series victory.

Given that South Africa were completely outplayed, Markram said the players have to take responsibility for failing to live up to expectations.

“Not a lot at all to be honest with you,” Markram was quoted as saying by sacricketmag.com when asked if Benkenstein was to blame. “Each player knows exactly what they need to do to deliver for the side.

“The batting coach has been brilliant in terms offering ideas and helping guys out in the nets. He’s got a really good cricket brain and gives some very valuable information.

“It’s the players ourselves who have not done it justice. I don’t think he needs to take the blame for this. It’s completely down to the players.

“He can only control so much. When the game happens, he sits on the side and doesn’t have much influence. It’s us as players who were at fault this series and it is something we will get better at.”

With the ODI series done and dusted, the Proteas will be looking to redeem themselves in the three-match Twenty20 series, which begins on Sunday in Johannesburg.