JOHANNESBURG, March 30
Opener Aiden Markram led the way with a career-best 152 as South Africa had the better of the opening day of the fourth Test against a much-changed Australia, reaching 313/6 at the close of play. The tourists, reeling from their ball-tampering scandal and led by new captain Tim Paine, had to endure chants of "where is Warner?" and "where is your captain?" from sections of the crowd as a reminder of the bans handed to captain Steve Smith, his deputy David Warner and Cameron Bancroft.
Needing a win to finish the series on an even keel, the tourists kept themselves in the game as the excellent Pat Cummins (3/53) claimed the wickets of Markram and home skipper Faf du Plessis. Debutant Chadd Sayers (2/64) removed AB de Villiers (69) with the new ball and two deliveries later had nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada caught without scoring.
Temba Bavuma (25) and Quinton de Kock (7) will resume on the second morning, looking for a sizeable total on a wicket already taking turn and showing widening cracks as they seek a first home series win over Australia in almost 50 years.
After losing the toss, Australia's bowlers have found enough in the wicket to dispel the notion of a flat pitch. But it did not come in the form of reverse swing, which was noticeably absent after having been a feature of the first three Tests, only becoming apparent with the very old ball. Markram has been the anchor for the innings, hitting 17 fours and a six on his way to a fourth career century to go with three fifties in 17 Test innings as he scored all around the ground.
His 216-ball vigil ended when he steered Cummins to Mitchell Marsh in the gully, having brought up his 150 the delivery before with a sumptuous drive. — Reuters
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