Aiden Markram fell narrowly wide of claiming his second consecutive century as South Africa got off to a strong start on the first day of the second Test against the West Indies on Wednesday.

South Africa’s score at tea in Johannesburg was 247 for two after captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and elected to bat on a slow-moving pitch. Left-handed batsman Tony de Zorzi, in his second Test, was not out at tea with 75 runs.

Markram, who was named South Africa’s T20 captain earlier this week, scored 96 off 139 balls with 17 fours to follow up his 115 in the first Test in Centurion.

Before attempting the first unconventional stroke of his innings, a scoop shot off the left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, he appeared to be in imperious form.

The ball ricocheted off his bat, and Jermaine Blackwood ran from slip to leg slip to catch it.

Motie took both wickets, having previously caught Dean Elgar for 42 at short fine leg. Due to a back injury, Motie, who took 13 for 99 against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo last month, missed the first Test in Centurion.

Even though he was the only bowler to achieve success, he was inconsistent and gave up 63 runs in 15 overs.

Elgar and Markram posted a first-wicket partnership of 76 runs at the Wanderers Stadium. 116 runs were scored in a second-wicket partnership between De Zorzi and Markram before the second wicket fell.

De Zorzi and Bavuma (27 not out) batted at a more sedate pace before tea as the West Indies bowlers regained some control after Markram’s dismissal.

Brief scores at tea

South Africa, first innings, 247-2 in 62 overs (D. Elgar 42, A. Markram 96, T. de Zorzi 75 not out; G. Motie 2-63)

Toss: South Africa

Photo by Christiaan Kotze/BackpagePix