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Markram Puts South Africa In Driver’s Seat On Opening Day Of Second Test


image-lezwa77gMarkram and Zorzi in action on Day 1 (Twitter)

South Africa took home the opening day honours against West Indies in Johannesburg, despite losing some late wickets before stumps. In-form opener Aiden Markram and number three batter Tony de Zorzi cracked crafty half-centuries in the middle, as hosts aim to secure the two-match series after their 87-run triumph in Centurion.

South Africa put runs on board after winning the toss

South African opener and former captain Dean Elgar formed a 76-run stand with in-form batsman Aiden Markram. The latter of the two himself went on to pile up a rapid 96, and shared another 116 runs with number three Tony de Zorzi.

After Elgar’s departure, both Markram and Zorzi registered huge half-centuries and took hosts near the 200-run mark within a session and a half on Day 1. Captain Temba Bavuma and middle-order batter Ryan Rickelton failed to convert their starts while wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen remained unbeaten at 17 till the close of play.

For the West Indies, young spinner Gudakesh Motie removed both South African openers, before returning to dismiss a well-settled Zorzi at 85. The cricketer’s three strikes aided West Indies’ fightback, as his fast bowling teammates Alzarri Joseph and Kyle Mayers exploited Motie’s breakthroughs by cutting through the hosts middle-order late in the day.

While Joseph sent Rickelton back to the pavilion, Mayers snared two wickets, including that of Simon Harmer in the last over of Day 1.

Brief scores:

South Africa: 311-7 (89.2)

Aiden Markram 96 (139), Tony de Zorzi 85 (155)
Gudakesh Motie 3-75, Kyle Mayers 2-24

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first