SA v ZIM, Only Test, Day 1 Review: South Africa in complete command after the first day

Aiden Markram’s scintillating hundred was backed up by a breathtaking spell from Morne Morkel, which kept South Africa in the driver’s seat. In the first ever four-day Test since 1973, the hosts Proteas have already taken a gigantic leap. They showed great class with the bat and bundled their batters out thanks to Morne Morkel’s brilliance.

Much to the disappointment of all the Dale Steyn admirers, he was not in the playing XI on Tuesday. Nevertheless, Dean Elgar and Aiden Makram gave their side a solid start. The duo added 72 runs for the first wicket, but two quick wickets kept Zimbabwe alive in the game. Amla was dismissed very early in the innings, thanks to some brilliant bowling from Mpofu.

Markram and interim skipper AB de Villiers then consolidated their innings with a quickfire partnership. The duo added 96 runs and the scoring rate was well over 3.5 during their partnership. Both players notched their half-centuries and kept the visitors in check for a major while. Although De Villiers fell for a 65-ball 53, Markram stitched another brilliant partnership with Temba Bavuma.

Meanwhile, Markram completed his second Test match hundred and they were looking for a score well beyond 350 or 400. But a stellar comeback from the bowlers stalled them from scoring big. Firstly, Markram fell to Kyle Jarvis after scoring a terrific 125 off 204 balls. Temba Bavuma fell just short of a half-century, whereas Skipper Graeme Cremer removed the dangerous De Kock and Philander in consecutive overs.

With the scorecard reading 309/9, South Africa declared their innings. Jarvis and Chris Mpofu picked up three wickets each for Zimbabwe. The main intension behind the declaration was to make the visitors play the 15-odd tricky overs whilst they were already very tired.

Morkel runns riot; Zimbabwe‘s top order back in the pavilion

News: Morne Morkel was under the scanner in the last few months and he even lost his place on a couple of occasions. But the senior pro reacted sensationally with a mind-boggling spell towards the final few overs of the first day. Thanks to his exploits, Zimbabwe lost four wickets in very quick succession and South Africa is already on the verge of running away with the game.

Hamilton Masakadza fell off the very first bowl of the innings. Morne Morkel’s scrambled seam delivery bamboozled the experienced opener and it didn’t take long for another wicket. Chibhabha edged straight to the slip cordon and Temba Bavuma took an excellent catch. Vernon Philander chipped in with a wicket of Craig Ervine and Morne Morkel then backed it up with a collosal wicket.

Brendan Taylor was gone for a duck and Zimbabwe was in a predicament with four batters back in the hunt. Much to the happiness of their camp, the day’s play came to a close with their scoreboard reading 30/4 after 16 overs. Two people who absolutely ripped the poor visitors apart were Aiden Markram and Morne Morkel. Markram’s century help them notch a decent total and despite losing quick wickets towards the end, Morkel ensured the hosts finished on a high.