Markram returns 'full of energy and positive vibes'

Markram was left out of South Africa's one-day international side for the first three matches against Sri Lanka. In that period, he went back to play domestic cricket, where scores of 85, 139 and 169 in his most recent games rejuvenated him and resulted in a call-up to the national squad for the last two ODIs.

He himself was quick to admit that in the run-up to the series, his numbers "just weren't good enough". And, rather than stressing about it, he went for a more clear-headed approach, with his goal simply to occupy the crease for as long as he could.

“By no means have I looked into selection over the last couple of weeks. I was obviously left out of the squad, and rightly so – the numbers just weren’t good enough,” he told reporters in Port Elizabeth ahead of the fourth ODI on Wednesday, 13 March. “Since then, it’s been a case of taking selection out of my mind.

"I’ve been with the Titans for a couple of weeks now, and really wanted to invest all my energy and efforts into that team. I’m going to come here with the exact same mindset, and I’m going to try to be full of energy and positive vibes for the side. Then we will see what happens."

His call-up comes just as South Africa are putting the final touches on their squad for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 and offers him a chance to seal a spot in the side. And while he is determined to "fight tooth and nail" to be on the flight to England and Wales in May, Markram insisted his new approach meant that he could shrug off any disappointment of missing out.

"There was a stage where it was really important to me," he said about being selected for the World Cup. "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 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 easy 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."