South Africa reached an impressive 247 for two in 62 overs at tea on the first day of the second Betway test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Wednesday, despite losing Aiden Markram for 96. Tony de Zorzi struck a maiden test 50. Resuming on their total of 133 for one in 30 overs, South Africa emerged from lunch in a frisky mood as Markram and De Zorzi maintained their run-rate of more than four to the over on a surprisingly bland Wanderers’ pitch.
As he raced along, Markram, was powerful through the covers, striking a total of 17 commanding boundaries. Markram tried an unusual method of reaching his ton, paddling at a delivery from left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie. Instead of glory, the right-hander only managed to toe-end the ball straight up into the air, where Jermaine Blackwood, running from leg slip to leg slip, juggled but eventually nailed the simple catch.
Markram, departed the scene with 96 from 139 balls and his second-wicket partnership of 116 with De Zorzi had laid the foundations for a big first-innings total.
De Zorzi, after a disappointing start to his test career at Centurion that included a preventable run-out and a first-ball duck, looked far more comfortable this time around. His cover drives were particularly good but so was his iron focus as he reached tea on 75 in 124 balls (10x4s).
Temba Bavuma, after his pair at Centurion on his captaincy debut, was given an easy start by Motie who offered him a full toss and a long-hop to get him going. Thereafter he and De Zorzi showed good composure to take South Africa to tea, avoiding any hint of the collapse that hurt the home team in Centurion. So far, their partnership has realised 55 in 105 balls. espncricinfo
South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (capt), Ryan Rickelton, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada.
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Kyle Myers, Joshua da Silva (wk), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach