Markram leads run fest
ELEGANT: YOUNG PROTEAS OPENER STROKES SUPERB 143
Elgar weighs in with 113 as visitors chase leather.
Last week, Nicole O’Connor, Aiden Markram’s high school sweetheart, shed tears after he was run out for 97 on his Test debut.
Yesterday, tears of joy rolled down her cheeks as her man emphatically (and quickly) righted that wrong.
Markram, 23, continued his excellent start to international cricket with an elegant 143 that propelled the Proteas to a massive 428/3 at the close of the opening day of the second Test against Bangladesh in Bloemfontein.
It didn’t quite beat the 445 runs South Africa scored against Pakistan on the first day at Newlands in 2003, but the dominance of their batsmen was similar.
Bangladesh once again chose to bowl first after winning the toss but this time there was a bit of logic to the decision.
Substantial rain in the days leading up to the game did suggest the wicket might be more spicier than Potchefstroom’s dead surface but the tactic nonetheless backfired horribly for the visitors.
Their bowling, except for a decent period before tea, was limp and uninspired.
In fact, Bangladesh’s only respite was an extended lunch interval after the caterers rather embarrassingly delivered their Halaal meals late.
To add to the operation staff’s blushes, there were no external factors like traffic that actually led to the delay.
That aside, the visitors were under the cosh the whole way.
Markram played an energetic but elegant innings, impressing with his ability to play straight.
Mid-off and -on were profitable areas for him, particularly after tea.
Given how he provided most of the fireworks in an opening partnership of 243, it was easy to forget Dean Elgar’s contribution.
The determined left-hander became the first South African batsmen since 2012 to score 1 000 Test runs in a calendar year with a silky 113.
His 50 came off just 59 deliveries and his century off 116.
But some good short-pitched bowling eventually started to trouble him.
He survived on 110 when he gloved a hook before holing out at fine leg.
Rubel Hossian (1/91) produced a fine inswinger to castle Markram.
Temba Bavuma (7) will be kicking himself for missing out after a lazy square drive was edged behind but thereafter normal service resumed.
Hashim Amla was typically fluent in crafting an unbeaten 89 off just 97 balls while captain Faf du Plessis is with him on 62.