Analysis of Aiden Markram's performance as South Africa take control of third Test against Australia

Ajit Vijaykumar 21:00 24/03/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • South Africa edged ahead in the third Test against Australia in Cape Town after reaching 238-5 at stumps on Day Three on Saturday.

    Opener Aiden Markram scored a defiant 84 as the Proteas took their lead to 294 with five wickets in hand after the hosts dismissed Australia for 255 early on Saturday  morning.

    Here we analyse the performance of Markram during a pivotal day of the four-Test series.

    STATISTICS

    RUNS SCORED: 84

    BALLS FACED: 145

    BOUNDARIES: 10

    SIXES: 2

    STRIKE RATE: 57.9

    30-SECOND REPORT

    The South African opener is only 23 but showed maturity beyond his years to thwart the Aussie pace attack and put the South Africans in a comfortable position on Day Three of the third Test. He was dropped twice and made the most of the reprieves, scoring an invaluable 84 that all but secured the Cape Town Test for the hosts.

    GOT RIGHT

    Was dropped on zero off Mitchell Starc. But didn’t take a step back against the left-armer who got the new ball to shape in, which has been a rarity in the third Test. Latched onto anything remotely lose, hitting ten boundaries and two sixes to maintain a strike rate of close to sixty that kept the game moving along.

    GOT WRONG

    Didn’t convert a fifty into a big knock. Right before the tea break, chipped a dolly off Starc to mid-on. Gave the Aussies an outside opportunity to get back into the game. Needs to learn that when it’s your day, you need to make the most of it and block every escape route for the opposition.

    Markram has now scored a century and a fifty in the series.

    Markram has now scored a century and a fifty in the series.

    KEY MOMENTS

    TWO DROPS

    Markram offered two chances during his innings. First in the opening over against Starc when he edged a full delivery to gully where Usman Khawaja grassed the ball after going for it with one hand and then on 59, when Steve Smith went for an edge off Josh Hazlewood at second slip but couldn’t cling onto the ball.

    DENYING STARC

    Starc was getting the new ball to shape in and credit to Markram for playing as straight and late as he possibly could. While he did play a few lose strokes against most bowlers, the fact that he stopped Starc from finding any wicket-taking rhythm with the new ball was worth a lot more than the runs he scored.

    PRAISE FROM KOHLI

    Markram is held in very high regard in South Africa, which is why he was made the limited-overs captain during the India series. His technique and temperament have been recognised earlier and on Saturday, India captain Virat Kohli joined the Markram appreciation society as he tweeted his delight at watching the South African in action. Don’t think you can get a bigger stamp of approval in cricket.

    VERDICT: 8/10

    It’s not just about how many you score. It’s also about when you do it. Markram scored a crucial fifty when the series was in the balance with the hosts gaining a 56-run first innings lead. Early wickets and the Australians would have been right in the mix. But his diligence, aided by loose fielding from the visitors, gave the South Africans a healthy lead at Newlands. Top effort from a young batsman.

    Recommended