SA vs WI, 1st Test: South Africa implode after Aiden Markram’s century on Day 1 in Centurion
South Africa vs West Indies, 1st Test: Aiden Markam hit a century on his return to the Test XI but South Africa lost 7 wickets for just 79 runs as they failed to head to a dominant position at Stumps on the opening day in Centurion.
Aiden Markram marked his return to the Test XI with a hundred (Reuters Photo)
By India Today Sports Desk: Aiden Markram marked his return to the Test side with a superb century on Day 1 of first Test of a 2-match series between South Africa and West Indies in Centurion. Markam hit his 6th Test hundred, a 115, which included 18 boundaries as South Africa went to Stumps at 314 for 8 on Tuesday at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
South Africa could have been in a better position when bad light stopped play in the final session after 82 overs were bowled. The hosts lost 7 wickets for just 79 runs in the final session as they went from 221 for 1 to 300 for 8 before Marco Jansen (17) and debutant Gerald Coetzee (11) remained unbeaten and made sure they stopped the slide.
South Africa will be hoping to post in excess of 350 with Jansen, a more-than-handy batter, resuming the day for them on Wednesday.
South Africa vs West Indies, 1st Test Day 1 Highlights
After winning the toss, newly-appointed captain Temba Bavuma opted to bat and South Africa couldn’t have asked for a better start as Dean Elgar and comeback man Markram added 141 runs for the first wicket. The two batters looked proactive and kept the scoreboard moving as they negated the West Indies bowling threat in the first session and a half.
Elgar, who was replaced as captain after South Africa’s 2-0 defeat to Australia, batted with a lot of freedom as he hit 11 boundaries for his 118-ball 71. Markram, who was in fine form in SA20 leading the SunRisers Eastern Cape, continued his rich vein of form.
MARKRAM SHINES ON COMEBACK
Markram was left out of the Test squad for the tour of Australia but the young batter has responded with a lot of heart, scoring his 6th hundred and setting up the Test match for the hosts.
It was Alzarri Joseph, who broke the opening stand by getting Dean Elgar in the 36th over following which Markram enjoyed good support from left-hander Tony ze Zorzi, who made a solid 28. Markram and Zorzi were involved in an 80-run stand when the latter was run-out following a miscommunication with the two batters.
West Indies wicketkeeper Joshu de Silva was aware and affected a smart run-out to send back Zorzi, which was the start of the South African collapse.
Alzarri found enough help from the pitch in the 3rd session as well as he helped West Indies strike in regular intervals. Temba Bavuma’s first innings as full-time captain was a disappointment as he was out LBW for 0 by Alzarri, who finished Day 1 with figures of 3 for 60.
Keegan Petersen (14), Heinrich Klaasen (20) and Senuran Muthusamy (3) failed to get going as South Africa’s slide continued with West Indies bowlers making good use of the conditions in the 2nd and 3rd sessions.
While Alzarri was the pick of the bowlers, Kemar Roach was rewarded for his consistency with a wicket. Shanon Gabriel, Kyle Mayers, and Jason Holder all picked up a wicket each as West Indies fought back after the two big stands at the top.
