The Proteas posted 311/7 against the West Indies on Day 1 of the 2nd Test match thanks to half-centuries from Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi. | ✍️ Khalid Mohidin from the Wanderers.
The Proteas, despite losing one wicket, got their innings off to a flying start. Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram and De Zorzi starred with the bat for the hosts.
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After the break, Markram and De Zorzi continued to add to their individual scores. They managed to take their partnership to 100 off 136 balls.
Markram looked calm and composed at the crease until he took a risky sweep scoop shot which looped to Blackwood who ran across from slip to where leg slip would normally stand and took a juggling catch. He lost his wicket after a 139-ball 96 (17 fours). The Proteas were eight runs short of the 200-run mark when Markram departed.
De Zorzi was joined by the captain Temba Bavuma. De Zorzi brought up his maiden half-century, in 82 balls, and helped the hosts pass the 200-run mark.
The pair brought up a 50-run partnership for 93 balls. Bavuma contributing 25 runs at this point.
Tea was called with De Zorzi on 75 and Bavuma on 27 with the Proteas posting 247/2 after 62 overs.
Bavuma was the first wicket to fall after the break. He only managed 28 off 64 balls and was trapped LBW with the ball moving sharply off the pitch. SA were two runs shy of the 250-run mark.
De Zorzi kept the runs ticking and worked his way to 85 off 155 runs when he lost his wicket, SA Reduced to 277-4.
Then Ryan Rickelton (22) fell not too long thereafter when he edged a short ball to the keeper. SA was 286-5 and the West Indies were back in it.
Heinrich Klaasen and Wiaan Mulder got the side to 300. Klaasen was the man to take them over the mark with a beautiful cover drive off the bowling of Kemar Roach.
Kyle Mayers got the new ball to talk, with a beautiful slow delivery which moved in the air, beat Mulder’s defensive shot and rattled his leg stump for 12. South Africa lost their 6th wicket for 309 runs.
A Myers leg cutter caught the edge of Simon Harmer who was dismissed for 1.
Stumps was called with South Africa on 311/7 after 89.2 overs.
Gudakesh Motie was the best bowler on the day for the Windies with 3/75.
