Classy Markram is the real deal
COMFORTABLE: 22-YEAR-OLD STEERS TITANS TO 373/6
Knights dominate against the Cobras in Bloemfontein.
Aiden Markram would have left new Proteas coach Ottis Gibson in no doubt that he is the real deal, as the new Titans captain scored a classy century against the Dolphins on the opening day of their Sunfoil Series match at Centurion yesterday.
Under the watchful eye of Gibson, who made a beeline to watch Markram after his first media engagement in Sandton, and national convenor of selectors Linda Zondi, the 22-year-old opener stroked 119 off 177 balls in just over four hours at the crease, to lead the Titans to 373 for six at stumps.
It would also have done Markram’s chances of a Test callup no harm at all that he shared a commanding third-wicket stand of 193 with Proteas captain Faf du Plessis, who showed his class with a composed 96.
Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy dismissed both of them and Robbie Frylinck took four for 52 in 16 overs to headline a gutsy Dolphins bowling display, with another Proteas star, Quinton de Kock, scoring a relatively sedate 54 to ensure the Titans maintained their advantage.
In Bloemfontein, Shadley van Schalkwyk and Duanne Olivier with the ball, and Keegan Petersen and Theunis de Bruyn with the bat, were the heroes as the defending champions, the Knights, dominated the first day of their match against the Cape Cobras.
Van Schalkwyk took five for 30 and Olivier claimed three wickets as the Cobras collapsed from 116 for two, after Hashim Amla’s half-century, to 159 all out.
Petersen (70*) and De Bruyn (81*) then took the Knights to 180 for one in reply.
The Warriors are going to be disappointed that they lost three wickets in four balls at the end of the day to close on 269 for four against the Highveld Lions at the Wanderers.
Ed Moore (115) and David White (94) had put on 179 for the first wicket before seamer Wiaan Mulder struck to finish the day with four for 32 in 13 overs.