Aiden Markram appointed South Africa T20I captain

Aiden Markram has been named the new South Africa T20 International (T20I) skipper, taking over from Temba Bavuma, who stepped down recently. Bavuma has also been dropped from the T20I squad against the West Indies, starting March 25. Furthermore, JP Duminy has been named as the team's white-ball batting coach.

Markram has loads of experience as captain, leading South Africa to an Under-19 World Cup title in 2014 and most recently leading Sunrisers Eastern Cape to the inaugural SA20 title.

In the One-Day International (ODI) set-up, Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada have been rested, while fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, batters Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs have earned their maiden ODI call-ups in the format. Nortje was also released from the ongoing Test series against West Indies after he complained of groin discomfort.

After a prolific domestic season, Ryan Rickelton, too returns to the ODI set-up. The batter smashed 452 runs at 64.57 in the One-Day Cup campaign, which included two hundreds and as many fifties. Several key players have been rested for the first two ODIs, led by Bavuma, but are expected to return for the final game.

“I would like to congratulate Aiden on his appointment as captain of the Proteas T20I team. Leadership is extremely familiar to him having successfully led on so many levels. He is a player that inspires confidence and he has all the qualities to succeed in the role. We have no doubt will help take South Africa to the next level," Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe said.

“At the same time, we would like to thank Temba for filling the position so aptly over the past two years. He has done a commendable job during this period and now has a new role to fulfil within the national set-up.”

Head coach Rob Walter added, “This is a squad that is high on confidence after beating one of the best white-ball teams in the world, England, in their most recent series.

"We have introduced a few new faces to the 50-over squad. I am personally excited to see how the likes of Tony de Zorzi gets on in the ODI team, the same with Gerald Coetzee, following debuts for both of them during the ongoing Test series. Both are players that have the potential to play a huge role in the future of the national team along with Tristan Stubbs, who has already made such a significant mark in the T20I arena.

"I am also excited to have Aiden take the reigns as T20I captain as he is very familiar to the setup and works well with those around him. He is a player that leads from the front and we have no doubt he will take this team to the next level in the years ahead."

South Africa and West Indies will face off in the second Test at The Wanderers, from Wednesday (March 8). The three-match ODI series will follow the Test from March 16, followed by the T20Is.

South Africa T20I squad vs West Indies: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock , Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs.

South Africa ODI squad vs West Indies (1st and 2nd ODI): Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams, Rassie van der Dussen