Markram channels his inner Gibbs in reaching new Proteas zenith: 'He's been doing it for weeks'

At the Wanderers

Except for not being famously hungover like his contemporary, it wasn't lost on many people present at the Bullring that Aiden Markram channelled his inner Herschelle Gibbs in thoroughly demoralising the Netherlands' attack during the 3rd ODI on Sunday.

The classy right-hander was relentless in equaling Gibbs' highest score by a South African in an ODI at the ground, striking 17 fours and seven sixes en route to a 126-ball 175.

Yet a humble Markram was reluctant to make any favourable comparison with the mercurial former stroke-maker's showstopping effort in the '438' game back in 2006.  

"His innings was probably a lot better than mine in terms of the match situation and the series context, but I watched that knock when I was young and it was great to watch," said Markram in the aftermath of the Proteas' 146-run victory, which emboldens their chances of qualifying automatically for this year's World Cup in India.

"To be able to emulate his score is a relief and a great feeling."

However, in terms of purity, one will struggle to identify a more accomplished knock.

Markram was absolutely outstanding from the outset, hardly giving the Dutch bowlers a sniff despite them making early inroads and impressing with the orthodoxy of his batting.

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As Scott Edwards, the visitors' skipper, remarked: "He's a very interesting cricketer. He bats very orthodox so it's actually not difficult to place fields to him. The problem is his cover drive is always a metre away from a fielder and it's invariably smoked. You can't stop it."

Markram himself, without saying so explicitly, seems to take pride in that strength.

"I don't think I