CAPE TOWN – Aiden Markram and Farhaan Behardien gave a timely reminder of their potential value at the World Cup with a List A record 272-run sixth-wicket partnership for the Titans against the Cape Cobras on Friday.
The pair bludgeoned the bowling to all parts of the Newlands ground in the One-Day Cup, beating the previous sixth-wicket best of 267 set by Grant Elliott and Luke Ronchi for New Zealand against Sri Lanka in 2015.
Markram was a surprise omission from the South Africa squad to play Sri Lanka in a five-match One-Day International series that starts in Johannesburg on Sunday, but was imperious as he smashed 169 from 129 balls, before being caught in the final over of the innings.
The pair had come together with their side in deep trouble at 31/5, and after a slow start, piled on the runs in the last 15 overs as Behardien finished not out on 111 from 100 balls.
📸 These two... 👏👏👏 #WhatMakesUsTitans pic.twitter.com/lgp6cYq5DD
— The Titans (@Titans_Cricket) March 1, 2019
The record partnership for any wicket in List A cricket, which includes One-Day International matches and various domestic limited-overs competitions, is 372 by Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels for the West Indies against Zimbabwe at the 2015 World Cup.
Markram’s last ODI appearance came as the Proteas claimed a 2-1 series victory in Australia in November, while Behardien previously featured against India a year ago.
The series with Sri Lanka is South Africa’s last before they open their World Cup campaign against England at The Oval on May 30.