Last Update: March 08, 2023, 22:09 IST
South African batsman Aiden Markram looks at his shot during the first day of the 2nd Test cricket match between South Africa and West Indies at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi scored big fifties for South Africa after skipper Temba Bavuma opted to bat first
Aiden Markram helped South Africa get off to a strong start before West Indies struggled on the first day of the second Test in Johannesburg on Wednesday. Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Moti, however, took three wickets as South Africa collapsed to 311 for seven and slipped from their strong position of 247 for two.
Aiden Markram (96) and Tony de Zorzi (85) were mainly responsible for South Africa’s healthy position before the hosts struggled after the second interval.
Five wickets fell while only 63 runs were added in 27.2 overs before the close.
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Jason Holder bowled a tight one after tea and took the wicket of South African captain Temba Bavuma, who played no shots and was leg before wicket for 28, who cut back sharply.
De Zorzi, playing in his second Test, batted fluently to score 75 off 124 balls at tea, but could only add 10 runs from 31 balls before he was bowled by a pearl ball.
He was pulled forward and beaten by a flying delivery which turned back and hit his off stump.
Moti ended the day with three wickets for 75 runs.
Ryan Rickelton was caught by Alzarri Joseph for 22 and Kyle Mayers claimed two wickets with the second new ball at the end of the day, bowling Wian Mulder and having Simon Harmer caught behind.
Moti first had Dean Elgar caught outside left-arm leg stump at short fine leg for 42, then Markram was denied a second consecutive century when Markram attempted a scoop shot.
The ball came off his bat and Jermaine Blackwood ran from slip to leg slip to take the catch.
Markram was in tremendous form, hitting 17 fours in 139 balls.
Elgar and Markram added 76 runs for the first wicket after Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat on an unusually docile Wanderers pitch.
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At a venue with a tradition for pace and bounce, a dry surface gave some assistance to the spin bowlers on the first day, justifying South Africa’s decision to opt for two spinners.
De Zorzi shared a free-scoring partnership of 116 off 164 balls for the second wicket with Markram.
West Indies regained some measure of control after Markram’s dismissal, with De Zorzi and Bavuma batting at a more relaxed pace before tea.
Then, in a similar pattern to the first day of the First Test at Centurion, the West Indies dominated the final session.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
