Twitter Reactions: South Africa's top-order provides slight edge to hosts on Day 1 of Johannesburg Test

Courtesy of a dominant performance by the top-order hosts South Africa concluded Day 1 of the ongoing Johannesburg Test with a score of 311/7 against the West Indies. The two sides are currently indulged in the second and final red-ball contest at the Wanderers in Johannesburg. 

After comprehensively earning a win in the first Test, the Proteas continued to stamp their authority against the Windies on Day 1 of the second clash. Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first in order to make the most of the batting-friendly conditions in Johannesburg. Notably, Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite made an impactful change as he got Gudakesh Motie into the XI in place of Shannon Gabriel.

Openers Dean Elgar and star of the first Test - Aiden Markram put together a solid partnership as they got 76 runs in just 105 balls. However, Gudakesh Motie drew first blood as he got the important wicket of Elgar and broke the successful partnership. But the dismissal hardly had any impact on Markram as he continued to play his natural game. 

Markram along with Tony de Zorzi played quite a few sumptuous cricketing shots to get the boundaries at regular intervals. The duo raised a 116-run stand as South Africa appeared in complete control of the contest.

Just four runs shy of registering another century in the series, Motie sent Markram back to the dugout at an individual score of 96 runs off 139 balls. As the Windies were handed some respite, in came skipper Bavuma, who along with de Zorzi stitched another vital partnership. The lack of discipline with the ball saw the duo batters smash multiple boundaries and aggregate 56 runs between them.

De Zorzi hit 11 boundaries in his 85-run knock before the left-arm finger spinner, Motie claimed his third wicket of the day. However, in the last ten overs of the play on Day 1, the Windies got two wickets for just 25 runs. With Heinrich Klaasen still on the crease at the end of the day's play, he will look to get the side to a big total on Day 2. 

Here is how Twitter buzzed to play on Day 1-

Halsey Nim@nimalen316

300 on the 1st day is a healthy rate, but I feel the Proteas have missed an opportunity here. Let's see what the lower order can do #SAvWI

08:15 PM · Mar 08, 2023

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Johns.@CricCrazyJohns

Aiden Markram in the Test series vs West Indies: 115(174) 47(58) 96(139) Returning as Test opener, he has taken the opportunity with both hands, Well played, Markram.

05:08 PM · Mar 08, 2023

2.6K131

Rampy@RiserTweex

Aiden Markram missed out on a well deserved 💯! #SAvWI

05:09 PM · Mar 08, 2023

455

Saqib khan@SaqibKh913728

Aiden markram hard luck champ But you are next big thing for RSA TEAM #RSAVSWI

06:24 PM · Mar 08, 2023

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Peter Parker@KohliMastrclass

Good evening Aiden Markram nation. God missed his consecutive hundred but stand up and applause for this goated knock.

06:07 PM · Mar 08, 2023

00

Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay@rhitankar8616

Aiden Markram becomes the second cricketer after Ashwell Prince to get out on nervous 90s multiple times in international cricket at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg. Before today's 96, Markram had once been out for 90 against Pakistan here in 2019. #SAvWI

06:01 PM · Mar 08, 2023

10

Werner@Werries_

Klaasen and Mulder have the perfect opportunity here to really put their stamp down. Work through this tough period and capitalise tomorrow #SAvWI

08:05 PM · Mar 08, 2023

21

Ngcose@Lukhokhanya

To think when it started 400 looked possible, it's day 1 where's the pressure? 🤧 #SAvWI

07:55 PM · Mar 08, 2023

00

Cricket Tamizhan@CricketTamizhan

Last chance for Mulder to deliver #SAvWI

07:45 PM · Mar 08, 2023

50

Shaan Waseem@shaanwaseem2

This series could've been an ugly one for South Africa if not for Markram's resurgence. The middle order needs to do better. #SAvWI

08:08 PM · Mar 08, 2023

00

Arijit Kundu@_arijitkundu_

Gudakesh Motie - One for the future of West Indies red ball cricket. (if not any unnecessary mishaps) Removes Markram at 96, and Tony de Zorzi at 85. Seems like he has taken an oath- not let anyone score a ton. #GudkeshMotie #WIvSA #SAvWI #SAvsWI #CricketTwitter

07:32 PM · Mar 08, 2023

10

Ken Borland@KenBorland

Another potential century goes abegging as Tony de Zorzi is bowled for 85. Excellent delivery from Gudakesh Motie, spinning sharply back into the left-hander as he tried to drive, bowled through the gate. Very accomplished innings, De Zorzi has fit into the top-order very well

07:29 PM · Mar 08, 2023

40

SN Cricket@Alvorny

Wian Mulder is not International material & I Have tweeted this lot of times Hope that SA understands it finally today 12 tests,20 innings as All-rounder & still not a single score above 40 in intl Average is meagre 14 #SAvWI

08:27 PM · Mar 08, 2023

10