Time up for struggling Markram? 'Maybe he needs to stop trying so hard'

Aiden Markram's horrible run of form for the Proteas continued in the first Test against New Zealand, and skipper Dean Elgar conceded on Sunday that a conversation with the national selectors could now take place. 

The 27-year-old Markram, who moved down to No 3 in Christchurch, carded scores of 15 and 2 as the Proteas were embarrassed in losing by an innings and 276 runs to the Black Caps.

Considered one of his country's brightest talents, it hasn't worked out for Markram on the Test stage for some time now, and the calls for his dropping are louder than ever following another disappointing outing. 

Markram averages just 9.7 in his last 10 innings and, going back further than that, he averages just over 25 in his last 20 Tests. Those are not the numbers one would associate with a player who has long been considered his country's answer to the likes of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root and Kane Williamson. 

While Elgar confirmed after the match that he was happy with his team selection - the Proteas fielded seven batters and four specialist seamers - Markram could find himself the subject of some tough conversations leading into the second Test at the same venue on February 25. 

"He has been struggling, no doubt, and I'm sure that conversation will come up with the selectors," said Elgar.

"From my point of view, maybe it's the mental game that he's fighting a little bit too much. We know he's a quality player, and he is only one innings away from turning a lot of things around.

"The conversation around his position has been in the media, and I guess the selectors will have to have that conversation with him.

"Maybe he needs to just stop trying so hard, because naturally, he's a gifted player and I think he's just one innings