CANTERBURY, ENGLAND – JUNE 22: Aiden Markram of South Africa A hits out as England Lions wicket keeper Ben Foakes and slip fielder Keaton Jennings look on during day 2 of the match between England Lions and South Africa A at The Spitfire Ground on June 22, 2017 in Canterbury, England. (Photo by Sarah Ansell/Getty Images).
CANTERBURY, ENGLAND – JUNE 22: Aiden Markram of South Africa A hits out as England Lions wicket keeper Ben Foakes and slip fielder Keaton Jennings look on during day 2 of the match between England Lions and South Africa A at The Spitfire Ground on June 22, 2017 in Canterbury, England. (Photo by Sarah Ansell/Getty Images).
At the brink of tea, Aiden Markram stood on the cusp of South African cricketing history. After playing his part in a 196-run opening stand, life looked rosy for the Test debutante…
Roses, however, are littered with thorns. Dean Elgar-shaped ones. As Markram’s opening partner nudged the ball into the offside, he called for a quick run. Except, he didn’t run.
Markram did, though. He was three-quarters of the way down the pitch before turning back, only to see the Bangladeshi fielder (Sabbir) casually lob the ball back to the bowler, who removed his stumps with glee after a frustrating day in the field.
Three runs short of a Test century on your first appearance, and that happens. We suggest Dean Elgar stays out in the middle whilst Makram talks himself out of showing Deano just how hard he can really swing a cricket bat.
Watch Markram get run out following Elgar mix-up
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The first test continues on SS2.#SSCricket pic.twitter.com/39mz0eTAru— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) September 28, 2017
Despite the heartbreak, nothing can be taken away from Markram’s incredible knock. He pounced on an off-par Tigers bowling attack, but played with fluency, composure, and selflessness. Elgar was on 99* when the run out occured, and Aiden was trying desperately to help his partner over the line.
How many South Africans have scored 100 on debut?
- Andrew Hudson, 162 V West Indies, 1992.
- Jacques Rudolph, 222* V Bangladesh, 2003.
- Alviro Peterson, 100 V India, 2010.
- Faf du Plessis, 110* V Australia, 2012.
- Stiaan van Zyl, 101* V West Indies, 2014.
- Stephen Cook, 115 V England, 2016.
Other players who hit 90s on Test debut?
Misery loves company, Aiden. He joins the likes of Rahul Dravid (95), Gordon Greenidge (93), Ricky Ponting (96), Stephen Fleming (92) and Ashton Agar (98) to fall short of instant heroism.
Markram’s magnificent knock came on a day where South Africa dominated Bangladesh, easing into a commanding position with the bat. They had passed the 200-run mark with just the run-out as the only wicket to fall on day one.
