Aiden Markram, cruelly deprived of a deserved hundred in the second Test against India at Centurion, says ‘it was another lesson learned’.

The young opener was caught behind off the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin on 94 and looking well set for his third hundred in five Tests. It brought back memories of his debut match against Bangladesh, when he was run out on 97.

‘I was massively disappointed not to get to three figures. It was a bit of a nothing shot, and I am still not quite over it.

‘But it is something we have to put in the past and look forward. My next role is to try to save runs in the field before we get stuck in again so I’m trying to keep a positive mindset.

‘It was the second time in a short period, but I just have to say it’s part of the game and I have to keep positive. The next time I get into that situation I will take lessons from what I learned today and get through to three figures.’

PLAY OF THE DAY: Markram races to milestone

Nevertheless, Markram became the second fastest South African to reach 500 Test runs – after the legendary Barry Richards – when he surpassed the milestone in just his seventh innings. Playing in his fifth Test, Markram now has two centuries and two fifties to his name, as well as an impressive average of 73.29.

Markram said he was slightly surprised at the wicket.

‘It was a bit different from what we expected. It had good bounce but it lacked that bit of pace that we come to expect. But there was enough in it for both batsmen and bowlers. It is a wicket where the contest is always happening. Ideally we would have liked to have it quicker but I don’t think it’s something bad.’

Markram believes that anything around 350 would be competitive. Then he is looking forward to seeing debutant Lungi Ngidi unleashed.

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