South Africa 293/9 at stumps on day 4 in 1st test at Durban

Speed Post News Network

Patna : Chasing a target of 417 run to win the first cricket test, South Africa were 293/9 in 89 overs against Australia in their second innings at stumps on day four on March 4, 2018, at Kingsmead, Duban, South Africa, mainly due to fighting but top quality 143 in 218 balls by opener Aiden Markram and an unbeaten 81 in 138 balls by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Kock has hit 11 fours in his 81 not out. South Africa need 124 runs to win the match with just one wicket in hand. But, they have stretched the match to the fifth day.

Markram and de Kock were involved in a 147 run partnership for the sixth wicket. Markram, who was out when the team score was 283, hit 19 fours in his 143 blunting the Australian fast bowlers including Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins and spinners alike. With this innings, Markram has truly emerged a super star. It was his third test century, which came in 171 balls, but a very special one indeed.

After Markram’s departure Starc, who virtually had an off day on March 4, suddenly started spitting fire and took three wickets in one over with South Africa’s score reading 290.  The first four wickets of South Africa in their second innings had fallen by the time the team score had reached 49 with A B de Villiers getting run out without scoring, Hashim Amla getting out for 8, opener Dean Elgar out for 9, and captain Faf du Plessis out for 4. Markram was then involved in a 87 run partnership with Theunis de Bruyn. de Bruyn scored 36 hitting 6 fours.

For Australia, fast bowlers Starc took 4/74 and Josh Hazlewood took 2/57. Fast bowler Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh took one wicket each.

Australia had scored 351 in their first innings and 227 in the second. South Africa had scored 162 in their first innings.