South Africa 314 for 8 (Markram 115, Elgar 71, Joseph 3-60) vs West Indies
On a floor that had one thing in for the bowlers all day, Markram, enjoying his first Check since August 2022, placed on a canopy drive masterclass en path to 115. However West Indies restored some parity by inducing a collapse, choosing seven wickets for 79 runs within the closing session.
Shannon Gabriel troubled Elgar with the quick ball, together with a shoulder-high supply that drew a high edge over the wicketkeeper’s head. There was additionally a leg-side entice in place for him, however the former captain survived all that and introduced up his twenty third Check fifty off 84 balls.
Markram, on the different finish, again with renewed confidence after not too long ago main Sunrisers Jap Cape on the SA20, performed a few beautiful cowl drives to sign his intentions early. He was largely untroubled with regardless of the West Indies bowlers threw at him because the duo went into the break unscathed.
Markram began the second session from the place he left off within the first driving Jason Holder within the hole by way of covers, which additionally introduced up the hundred for South Africa within the twenty ninth over. Gabriel continued with the short-ball ploy however Elgar, now extra assured, introduced out the ramp over the slip fielders.
Alzarri Joseph’s scorching yorker knocked over Aiden Markram•AFP/Getty Pictures
Then it was Markram’s flip to convey up his half-century, his tenth in Check cricket, with a push by way of covers. Elgar ramped Joseph over slips once more however the very shot led to his downfall two balls later. Joseph moved the fielder to deep third and went for one more bouncer, nearer to Elgar’s physique. He arched again, making an attempt to ramp him once more, however ended up hitting it straight to Blackwood who took a surprising catch after a little bit of misjudgment.
With de Zorzi in at No.3, West Indies would have harboured hopes of some type of a comeback. The debutant, nonetheless, shortly put these ideas to mattress, including 78 runs for the second wicket off 127 balls. South Africa went into tea 206 for 1 and eyeing a giant first-innings with Markram unbeaten on 97 and de Zorzi largely comfy on 22.
Issues, nonetheless, unravelled fairly shortly within the closing session. Markram had a scare on 99 when a caught-behind choice was despatched upstairs however the on-field choice of not out was upheld. He didn’t waste a lot time, crashing Joseph’s short-of-a-length ball previous level to convey up his first Check century since February 2021.
Nevertheless, a mixture of a superb piece of fielding and lazy working led to de Zorzi’s wicket and opened the floodgates. De Zorzi’s lower was intercepted effectively at deep level by Tagenarine Chanderpaul. The duo ran two however for some cause, de Zorzi got here again looking for a 3rd solely to be despatched again. Chanderpaul fired in a large throw that Joshua Da Silva palmed again onto the stumps, catching de Zorzi without warning, who was discovered to be inches quick.
Two balls later Joseph pinned Bavuma bang in entrance of the stumps for a duck earlier than a pinpoint yorker on the bottom of off stump left Markram’s stumps in a large number. From 206 for 1, the hosts had slipped to 236 for five.
Heinrich Klassen got here out with an attacking intent whilst Keegan Peterson, again after an damage, struggled for timing. Klaasen’s cameo didn’t final lengthy, although, with Gabriel sending him again for 20 through a brief ball that he pulled to Joseph at mid-on.
The West Indies bowlers then caught to a plan and received the ball to hoop round. Senuran Muthusamy was caught in entrance shouldering arms to a full-length Roach supply, whereas Mayers ended Peterson’s battle on 14.
Coetzee struck two fours off his first two balls in Check cricket earlier than unhealthy gentle led to an early shut of play with solely 82 overs potential on the opening day.
Ashish Pant is a sub-editor with ESPNcricinfo
