Markram’s ton, Bavuma 50 help SA post 199/4

Vizianagaram, September 27

Opener Aiden Markram struck his second successive hundred in as many games as South Africa scored steadily to reach 199/4 in 50 overs against the Indian Board President's XI on the second day of the rain-curtailed warm-up match. 

Markram had earlier scored 161 for South Africa A against India A in a First-Class game last week.

After completing his hundred today, Markram retired in order to give the other batsmen an opportunity to bat in a game which has not been accorded the First-Class status. Markram's innings was an attacking one as he faced 118 deliveries, hitting 18 boundaries and two sixes.

Earlier, opener Dean Elgar was snuffed out by pacer Umesh Yadav (1/34), caught by Priyank Panchal in the slip cordon. Theunis de Bruyn got one from Ishan Porel (1/11) that jagged back in to trap him plumb LBW. Zubayr Hamza (22) hit three fours and one six before left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja (2/52) had him LBW with an arm ball. The lesser-known Jadeja from Saurashtra also had rival skipper Faf du Plessis (9) trapped leg-before. Markram and Temba Bavuma (55) had a century partnership, with the slightly built Bavuma hitting nine fours in his 92-ball unbeaten knock.

The most impressive among the Indian pacers was young Bengal speedster Ishan Porel, but skipper Rohit Sharma gave him only one six-over spell during which he got de Bruyn.

Brief Scores: SA: 199/4 in 50 overs (Aiden Markram 100 retd., Temba Bavuma 55; Dharmendrasinh Jadeja 2/52, Ishan Porel 1/11, Umesh Yadav 1/31). — PTI