The first day of the final Test between South Africa and Australia belonged marginally to the hosts as they finished on 313-6 by the time stumps were called.
Opener Aiden Markram struck an excellent 152 to lead the hosts’ charge at Johannesburg as the focus shifted back to cricket after the ball-tampering episode.
Here, we analyse the performance of the young South African opener on the first day of the Johannesburg Test.
STATISTICS
RUNS SCORED: 152
DELIVERIES FACED: 216
BOUNDARIES: 17
SIXES: 1
STRIKE-RATE: 70.37
30-SECOND REPORT
The 23-year-old continues to show his class in the series with his fourth Test ton. The opener’s inning was almost flawless as he looked in complete control on the opening day. The right-hander’s superb 152 gave South Africa the perfect start as they seek to win a first-ever home series against Australia.
GOT RIGHT
Markram saw off the new-ball threat by the Australian pacers with a solid technique and temperament, latching onto anything loose outside the off-stump as he made the point and cover region his own. He was equally at ease against the spin threat of Nathan Lyon, bringing out his free-flowing straight drives against him.
Another Good Friday thought … Aiden Markram is a incredible Young opening Batsman … #SAvAus
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 30, 2018
GOT WRONG
Bar a lofted shot against Lyon that caught the toe-end of his bat, Markram was relatively untroubled for the most part of his innings but once again he failed to drive home the advantage and threw away his wicket with a soft dab to the gully fielder. He fell in the same manner as he did after his sensational hundred in the first Test, throwing away the opportunity to make a really big one.
KEY MOMENTS
FOURTH TEST TON
In the 50th over of the day, Markram brought up his fourth hundred, and second of the series, with a simple nudge through square-leg off Lyon. As he celebrated with raised arms, the compliments started raining in on social media, drawing praise from Virat Kohli once again.
Aiden Markram 👌👏
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2018
SURVIVES REVIEW AFTER TON
Just a few overs after Markram had registered his ton, he was struck on the pads with a sharp in-swinger from Pat Cummins. The Australians were up in arms immediately but Nigel Llong denied their appeals. Tim Paine opted for the review straight away and replays agreed with Llong’s decision, showing the ball to go over the stumps.
VERDICT – 9/10
The young Proteas batsman is developing quite the reputation already at such a young age, putting together another innings brimming with maturity and excellent temperament. He has such a languid, but imposing style and it is scary to think he is only 23. He has all the makings of a future superstar batsmen and South Africa have a real gem on their hands.
Aiden Markram is a once-in-a-generation player which is astounding considering he’s basically the same age as Kagiso Rabada, another once-in-a-generation player…
— Derek Alberts (@derekalberts1) March 30, 2018
