Aiden Markram. (Photo Source: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)
Aiden Markram announced his return to Test cricket on a terrific note as the batter registered a ton on Day 1 of the ongoing game between The West Indies and South Africa to help latter team post 314 runs against West Indies at Stumps. The Proteas and the Windies have locked horns in the first of the two-match Test series played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma in the Whites, the Proteas are onto new beginnings and the side was handed just the start they would have hoped for. Skipper Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first at the SuperSport Park.
Openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram struck up a 141-run opening stand which handed a massive head start to the side. On a surface which had an indifferent bounce, the Windies could only manage to scalp one wicket at tea as the Proteas got to 206 runs.
South Africa post 314 runs on Day 1
Soon after Elgar’s dismissal, who was sent packing for 71 off 118 balls, Markram (115 runs) continued to extend the Proteas’ domination along with Tony de Zorzi. Together, the duo together stitched an important partnerhip of 78 runs, however, it ended as the southpaw couldn’t convert the start he got, and was eventually dismissed in an unfortunate run-out for 28.
However, de Zorzi’s dismissal momentarily handed The Windies some control as they swiftly got the vital scalp of skipper Temba Bavuma, who was dismissed for a duck. Alzarri Joseph cranked up the pace and made the batters guess all along as he returned impressive bowling figures of three wickets in his sixteen overs throughout the day, as the hosts lost their seven wickets for just 79 runs.
Meanwhile, veteran pacer Kemar Roach, Kyle Mayers, Shannon Gabriel, and Jason Holder shared a wicket each.
With Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee still on the crease, the Proteas will aim to be at the driver’s seat after their fine outing on Day 1. South Africa concluded the first day of the clash with a score of 314 runs on the board for the loss of eight wickets.
Here is how Netizens buzzed during the contest on Day 1-
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