Twitter Reactions: Markram shines as honors shared at close of play

The current Test match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg was more of a psychological battle for Australia than contest on the cricket pitch. On the other hand, the South Africans had an opportunity to turn over the visitors for the maiden time in the Rainbow nation. The game was also special for the Proteas for the fact that Morne Morkel was plying his trade one final time in international cricket.

Both teams trotted on the ground with contrasting mindsets. While the Aussies were depleted, the Proteas were oozing with confidence. After Faf du Plessis won the toss and elected to bat first, the first couple of sessions were completely dominated by their batsmen. Though Dean Elgar couldn’t pile on a big score, he along with Aiden Markram stitched together a healthy half-century stand .

Nathan Lyon drew first blood for the Aussies, however, Hashim Amla and Markram carried on and built another solid stand, much to the agony of Tim Pane’s men. However, Markram racked up his fourth Test century in the post-lunch session. Thereafter, he notched his highest Test score of 152 runs. Meanwhile, AB de Villiers played some scorching strokes to score a quick-fire knock.

Cummins and Sayers saves the day for Australia

Nevertheless, Patrick Cummins nipped out Markram and Faf du Plessis in the same over to garner some momentum into their bowling. de Villiers and Temba Bavuma tried to resurrect the team from the couple of jolts with a half-century stand. However, Chadd Sayers nipped out his maiden Test wicket in the form of de Villiers.

To multiply Sayers’ joy, he picked up his second in the same over when Kagiso Rabada unsuccessfully attempted to clear the mid-off region. Meanwhile, Bavuma, who looked jittery in the Cape Town Test following his injury layoff, looked determined and expertly staved off the venom spewed by the Aussie pace battery. Following the day’s play, Twitter praised Markram and South Africa for their stupendous shows on the field.

Here are the reactions    

Congrats to Chadd Sayers on his late 2 wickets on debut ! It’s been a tough day for him & he hasn’t looked threatening bowling around 120 k’s an hour on an up and down pitch. But full credit to him for still giving it his all – well done ! ?

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 30, 2018

Heart warming to see the love & respect shown to Morne Morkel in his last test for SA. In sports at the end of the day, it is not just about the medals & records but also how you played/participated and treated people along the way.

— Ryk Neethling (@RykNeethling) March 30, 2018

Aiden Markram ??

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 30, 2018

Stumps, day 1: SA 313/6, Bavuma 25*, De Kock 7*. Markram (152) sensational today & De Villiers added a measured 69. Who can’t wait for tomorrow?! #ProteaFire #SAvAUS #SunfoilTest ??? pic.twitter.com/rZ5kwNpHkL

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 30, 2018

Another Good Friday thought … Aiden Markram is a incredible Young opening Batsman … #SAvAus

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 30, 2018

20000 RUNS for AB DE VILLIERS in International Cricket#SAvAUS

— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) March 30, 2018

Only four players in the past 50 years have scored 2000-plus runs against Australia at an average exceeding 50:
Tendulkar: 3630 @ 55.00
AB DE VILLIERS: 2000 @ 52.63
Lara: 2856 @ 51.00
Lloyd: 2211 @ 50.25#SAvAUS

— Adam Burnett (@AdamBurnett09) March 30, 2018

Test captains since 2000…
14 – Pakistan/West Indies
10 – England/South Africa/Bangladesh
9 – Sri Lanka/Zimbabwe
8 – India
7* – Australia
5 – New Zealand#SAvAus

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 30, 2018

Aiden Markram in his 10 Tests career
4 100s
2 90s
1 80s#SAvAUS

— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) March 30, 2018

Aiden Markram in his 10 Tests career
152 vs AUS at Johannesburg
143 vs AUS at Durban
143 vs BAN at Bloemfontein
125 vs ZIM at Port Elizabeth
97 vs BAN at Potchefstroom
94 vs IND at Centurion
84 vs AUS at Cape Town
already has a 50+ score at all SA Test grounds#SAvAUS

— Jasveer Singh Kharra (@imjsk27) March 30, 2018

Aiden Markram is now the first South African to score 400 runs in a Test series against Australia since their readmission. AB de Villiers scored 360 runs in this series so far. #SAvAUS

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) March 30, 2018

First time in six innings as night watchman, Kagiso Rabada fails to see off the day's play.

Minutes batted by him as night watchman in previous instances:
18 , 55, 52, 130 & 58#SAvAUS

— Deepu Narayanan (@deeputalks) March 30, 2018