EXCLUSIVE | Markram’s departure a big loss, but strong culture should guide Stubbs and Sunrisers in season four, says Hermann

Sunrisers Eastern Cape batter Jordan Hermann admitted that former captain Aiden Markram’s departure is a big loss but emphasised that the culture that has been built in Gqeberha is strong enough for the team to continue its dominance in the upcoming SA20 season.

Markram’s leadership was a big part of Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s success in the first three seasons of the SA20.

The 31-year-old led the Gqeberha-based Sise to back-to-back trophies and a runners-up medal in the third season of the competition.

This year, coach Adrian Birrell’s team has appointed new captain in Tristan Stubbs, as Markram opted to put his name in the hat for the auction, where he was signed by Durban’s Super Giants as their new captain for the season.

Batter Jordan Hermann admitted that Markram’s departure is a big loss, but reiterated his belief that the Sunrisers have a strong enough team culture for the team to continue its dominance when the tournament gets underway later this week.

“I think it was a big loss having Aiden leave, going to DSG,” Hermann told Independent Media.

“But I think the camp is strong still. I think the same culture, the same environment was created by the management and I think Stubbs is a Sunriser through and through so he’ll carry the flag where Aiden has left off. It’s been good so far, everyone is in good spirits.”

Having been so successful in the competition, one would imagine that the Sunrisers would be under pressure heading into the fourth edition of the tournament.

Hermann acknowledged that there is always pressure going into the tournament.

“I think there's always pressure, no matter what game you play, whether it's the first game of the season or the final. But it's just getting used to that pressure and being under pressure just lifts your own energy levels and your own focus,” Hermann said.

“So not to fall under the pressure, but to be excited by the pressure. As they always say, pressure is a privilege. So it just lifts the levels.

“The bigger the occasion, the bigger the energies and the focus, and obviously the execution. So I don't think there's more pressure or less pressure. I think it's the same.

“We're going to keep to our process, and if you trust that, the results will take care of itself.”

Hermann has been in fine form this season, whether in a Warriors shirt in domestic cricket, or in the green and gold for South Africa ‘A’.

The young batter looks to transfer his form into the upcoming SA20 season and help the team have yet another successful campaign.

“I don't think much preparation changes throughout the formats. I think the same basics, the same essentials to my game stays true. So I'm just trying to focus and keep honest to my processes that I've been using and trust that it will work,” he said.

“Just trying to keep calm and get into a good space. Don't go and hit too many balls but also don't hit too little. Make sure my game is well rounded.

“I think it's been good so far. Just hopefully I can keep on the good form. Probably don't overthink it too much.

“It's still the same white ball that comes down to me. Even if it's bowled by international or the domestic bowler, it's the same white ball.”

Hermann is excited by the prospect of having batter Matthew Breetzke in Gqeberha for the first time, after the talented batter was signed in the auction earlier this year.

The two batters play together at the Warriors, a feat that could benefit the Sunrisers immensely as they push to set the standard again this season.

“It's nice to have Matty on board. I think he has been in great form the past few seasons and past few years, so it's great to have him here. It's home for him, so I think we'll love him even more and I know he's extremely excited to get going,” Hermann said.

“It feels natural to have him in the camp, even though he hasn't been here. I think it's home for him and obviously I've seen a lot with the Warriors, so I think it's quite cool to have him at Sunrisers as well and create a continuity between Warriors and Sunrisers, which I know the management always wanted throughout the competition so far.”

The SA20 will get underway on Friday, 26 December with the defending champions MI Cape Town hosting the Durban’s Super Giants at Newlands.

The Sunrisers will get their campaign started on 27 December as they will travel to Paarl to take on the Royals.

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