• Markram, Morkel lift Proteas

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    Aiden Markram scored a century and Morné Morkel ripped through the Zimbabwe top order to put South Africa in charge after day one at St George’s Park. JON CARDINELLI reports.

    In the context of the contest – a historic day-night Test on South African soil spanning four days instead of the traditional five – the Proteas should be pleased with things as they stand. Zimbabwe will go into day two some 279 runs adrift of South Africa’s total and with only six first-innings wickets intact.

    Ottis Gibson should be thrilled with the efforts of Markram, who scored his second century in just his third game. The Proteas coach should also be encouraged by the form shown by AB de Villiers in what was his first Test since January 2016.

    PLAY OF THE DAY: Markram’s measured ton

    The Proteas bowlers – minus Dale Steyn, who withdrew due to a viral infection – exploited the conditions well into in the final session to ensure that Zimbabwe finished the day four wickets down.

    All that said, there is more than one reason for Gibson and company to be concerned.

    Quinton de Kock injured his hamstring while batting and was unable to keep wicket during the Zimbabwe innings. De Villiers, who made it clear that he would return to Test cricket as a specialist batsman and not as a captaincy or wicketkeeping option, was forced to take on the extra duties on the very first day of play. It remains to be seen whether regular skipper Faf du Plessis (who is also battling a virus) and De Kock will be available for the first Test against India on 5 January.

    Markram showed terrific patience on what was a slow and two-paced wicket. It was thanks in large to the 23-year-old – and, to a lesser extent, Dean Elgar, De Villiers and Temba Bavuma, who combined with Markram to form key partnerships in the top order – that the Proteas were able to post a competitive score of 309.

    De Villiers marked his return to the Test arena after a two-year absence with a confident knock of 53. But like Elgar, Bavuma, and De Kock, he was guilty of getting a start and then not pressing on.

    Indeed, the Proteas were 251-3 shortly before the dinner break. At that stage, they looked to be on course for a total closer to 450. As it was, they lost their next six wickets for 58 runs.

    After Keshav Maharaj perished, De Villiers declared to leave South Africa with enough time to bowl at the Zimbabwe top order under lights. The conditions were certainly challenging. A total of nine wickets fell during the final session of play.

    Morkel struck with the very first delivery of the innings, trapping Hamilton Masakadza lbw. Thereafter, he removed Justice Chibhabha and the dangerous Brendan Taylor in quick succession. At 11-3, Zimbabwe were reeling.

    Vernon Philander marked his return to the Test side by claiming the wicket of Craig Ervine. Zimbabwe responded by sending in a nightwatchman, and managed to avoid further losses in the remaining overs.

    Zimbabwe will need to post 159 runs to avoid the follow-on (150 runs fewer than South Africa’s total, as per the rules for the four-day format). It will be interesting to see whether De Villiers enforces the follow-on if he has the opportunity to do so. Only three days of play remain in this contest.

    On the other hand, the Proteas could benefit from an extended hit-out ahead of the more demanding – and ultimately more significant – clashes against India next month.

    SA 309-9 declared (1st innings) – Aiden Markram 125, AB de Villiers 53, Kyle Jarvis 3-57, Christopher Mpofu 3-58
    Zimbabwe 30-4 (1st innings) – Ryan Burl 15 not out, Morné Morkel 3-20, Vernon Philander 1-5
    Zimbabwe trail by 279 runs

    Scorecard

    Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images

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    Jon Cardinelli