Twitter Reactions: Aiden Markram’s ton helps South Africa thrive on Day 1

Aiden Markram scored 115 runs off 174 balls before getting dismissed by Alzarri Joseph

Published - 28 Feb 2023, 21:18 IST | Updated - 28 Feb 2023, 21:05 IST

12 Min Read

Aiden Markram announced his return to Test cricket on a terrific note as the batter registered a ton on Day 1 of the ongoing game between The West Indies and South Africa to help latter team post 314 runs against West Indies at Stumps. The Proteas and the Windies have locked horns in the first of the two-match Test series played at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.

Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma in the Whites, the Proteas are onto new beginnings and the side was handed just the start they would have hoped for. Skipper Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat first at the SuperSport Park.

Openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram struck up a 141-run opening stand which handed a massive head start to the side. On a surface which had an indifferent bounce, the Windies could only manage to scalp one wicket at tea as the Proteas got to 206 runs.

South Africa post 314 runs on Day 1

Soon after Elgar’s dismissal, who was sent packing for 71 off 118 balls, Markram (115 runs) continued to extend the Proteas' domination along with Tony de Zorzi. Together, the duo together stitched an important partnerhip of 78 runs, however, it ended as the southpaw couldn't convert the start he got, and was eventually dismissed in an unfortunate run-out for 28.

However, de Zorzi’s dismissal momentarily handed The Windies some control as they swiftly got the vital scalp of skipper Temba Bavuma, who was dismissed for a duck. Alzarri Joseph cranked up the pace and made the batters guess all along as he returned impressive bowling figures of three wickets in his sixteen overs throughout the day, as the hosts lost their seven wickets for just 79 runs.

Meanwhile, veteran pacer Kemar Roach, Kyle Mayers, Shannon Gabriel, and Jason Holder shared a wicket each. With Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee still on the crease, the Proteas will aim to be at the driver’s seat after their fine outing on Day 1. South Africa concluded the first day of the clash with a score of 314 runs on the board for the loss of eight wickets.

Here is how Netizens buzzed during the contest on Day 1-

Johns.

@CricCrazyJohns

Hundred for Aiden Markram, returning as a Test opener after 1 year, he has made it count with a fantastic knock. A special talent, Markram.

06:41 PM · Feb 28, 2023

4.9K

214

Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦@LawrenceBailey0

Aiden Markram brings up his 6th test match 💯!! What a knock this has been, played good cricket by defending/leaving the good balls and punishing the bad ones! Proper knock opening the innings. Hopefully the talk about him not being a opener gets put in a bin now! #SAvsWI

06:44 PM · Feb 28, 2023

155

Shivani Shukla@iShivani_Shukla

The beauty of comebacks like this is worth all the setbacks along the way. This is going to be Aiden Markram's year.

07:28 PM · Feb 28, 2023

178

CricketMAN2@ImTanujSingh

In last 2 months - Aiden Markram won SA20 league 2023 as captain, becomes Sunrisers Hyderabad captain in IPL and make a comeback in Test team and now scored a fine Hundred. Outstanding Aiden Markram.

06:45 PM · Feb 28, 2023

449

Michael Parker@Parksy17

Bavuma duck? Normality has resumed. #SAvsWI

08:49 PM · Feb 28, 2023

mohlomi ⭐⭐🇿🇦@Mohlomy17

This capitulation has been mad. The ball is doing alot though. #SAvsWI

08:29 PM · Feb 28, 2023

Balaji K@balajik_97

So far it has been Markram' month! Won the title for @SunRisersEC as captain in first #SA20 Appointed as the captain of @SunRisers Made a comeback in Test cricket & scored hundred Hints of Spring soon to come!!! #SAvsWI #Markram

08:28 PM · Feb 28, 2023

Rakibul Islam @raakibul_

350 would be a rather commanding score on a pitch where generally chases of 150ish aren't even worth bothering with. But it's another collapse, which seems to be a theme. #SAvsWI

08:13 PM · Feb 28, 2023