South African opener Aiden Markram's triumphant return to the Test side was marked with a teary-eyed celebration after scoring his sixth Test century in the first Test match against the West Indies at Centurion on Tuesday.
6th Test Century of Aiden Markram
Despite his century, the West Indies fought back to have the hosts at 314-8 at close of play.
Markram's knock of 115 runs was crucial in piling on the early runs after South Africa won the toss and elected to bat. He partnered with Dean Elgar to put on 141 runs for the first wicket. However, the West Indies struck back in the evening session, taking seven wickets to bring the hosts to 314-8.
Elgar, who was stripped of the captaincy, hit 71 runs before being caught by Jermaine Blackwood off Alzarri Joseph. South Africa advanced to 206-1 at tea and was on 221 when debutant Tony de Zorzi was needlessly run out after a patient 28. New Test captain Temba Bavuma followed two balls later after being trapped leg before wicket by Joseph, who then had Markram clean bowled as he slipped in a speedy yorker.
Markram faced 174 balls and hit 18 fours in a determined innings on his home ground after a recall from new coach Shukri Conrad, who is also now the only selector in a revamp of the South Africa Test side. Joseph was the pick of the bowlers and finished the day on 3-60, but there were also wickets late in the day for others in the bowling line-up.
Shannon Gabriel banged in a ball that rushed onto Heinrich Klaasen and saw him mistime his shot to be caught for 20 while Kemar Roach trapped Senuran Muthusamy lbw for three. Keegan Petersen was the last recognised batsman to go, lbw to Kyle Mayers for 14. Kagiso Rabada then nicked Jason Holder to Blackwood at second slip for eight, meaning South Africa had lost their last seven wickets for 79 runs.
Marco Jansen and debutant bowler George Coetzee were unbeaten when bad light stopped play.
Conclusion:
Markram's century is a significant achievement for the 28-year-old after being dropped for the three-Test series in Australia at the turn of the year. His return to form will be a relief for South Africa, who have struggled in recent times, losing badly in Australia and drawing against Sri Lanka at home. The revamp of the South Africa Test side, with new coach Shukri Conrad as the only selector, will bring fresh energy and renewed hope for the team as they strive to regain their dominance in world cricket.
Keypoints:
1. Aiden Markram scored his sixth Test century in the first Test match against the West Indies at Centurion
2. Markram's century came after being dropped for the three-Test series in Australia at the turn of the year
3. South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, piling on the early runs with Markram's 115-run knock and a partnership of 141 with Dean Elgar
4. The West Indies fought back, taking seven wickets in the evening session to have the hosts at 314-8 at close of play
5. South Africa lost their last seven wickets for 79 runs
6. New coach Shukri Conrad is now the only selector in a revamp of the South Africa Test side
7. Markram's return to form is a significant achievement for South Africa as they strive to regain their dominance in world cricket
