South Africa vs West Indies, 1st Test, Day 1: Markram 'relief' after century on South Africa return against West Indies

Aiden Markram spoke of his "relief" after compiling a century on his return to Test cricket for South Africa on the first day of the first Test against the West Indies at SuperSport Park on Tuesday.

Match Summary

South Africa vs West Indies, 1st Test, West Indies tour of South Africa

South Africa *314/8 (82 ov)

West Indies

Day Break: Day 1 South Africa elected to bat

SCORECARD

Markram hit 115 in a South African total of 314 for eight and then admitted he had wondered whether he would get another opportunity after being dropped by South Africa last year.

"It was the biggest sense of relief – and belief that I can still compete in this format," he said of his emotions on reaching his sixth Test century.

Markram, who made a sensational start to his Test career, scoring 1,000 runs in his first 10 Tests, was dropped last year after a prolonged slump during which he failed to score a half-century in 15 innings which included only two scores above 30.

"You do wonder if you will get the opportunity again," he said. "I've always loved red-ball cricket and I'm glad the coach and captain backed me."

Markram's return was part of a major reshuffle of the South African team by new coach Shukri Conrad, which included the elevation to the captaincy of Temba Bavuma.

Markram recently led his Sunrisers Eastern Cape team to victory in the first SA20 franchise tournament.

"It might have helped from a confidence point of view," he said of his Twenty20 exploits.

"If you get tentative you can dig a few holes for yourself."

Match Stats

South Africa Fall of wickets: 1-141 (Dean Elgar - 35.3 ov), 2-221 (Tony de Zorzi - 56.3 ov), 3-221 (Temba Bavuma - 56.5 ov), 4-236 (Aiden Markram - 60.4 ov), 5-262 (Heinrich Klaasen - 66.5 ov), 6-271 (Senuran Muthusamy - 69.6 ov), 7-290 (Keegan Petersen - 76.1 ov), 8-300 (Kagiso Rabada - 79.4 ov)

Playing XI

South Africa: Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma(C), Keegan Petersen, Heinrich Klaasen(WK), Senuran Muthusamy, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite(C), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymon Reifer, Jermaine Blackwood, Kyle Mayers, Roston Chase, Joshua Da Silva(WK), Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel

Match Details

Date: 2023-02-28 08:00:00

Venue: SuperSport Park, Centurion, Centurion

Toss: South Africa won the toss & elected to bat