SA vs WI, 2nd Test: Motie leads West Indies fight back against South Africa on Day 1

South Africa lost five wickets in the final session and were reduced to 311/7 at Stumps, from 247/2 at Tea.

Gudakesh Motie was the pick of West Indies bowlers and ended with figures of 3/75 on Day 1. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Aiden Markram helped South Africa race to a strong start before the West Indies fought back on the first day of the second Test in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, however, picked up three wickets as South Africa closed on 311 for seven, having slipped from their formidable score of 247 for two at Tea.

Aiden Markram (96) and Tony de Zorzi (85) were responsible for South Africa’s healthy position before the hosts struggled after the second interval.

Five wickets fell while only 63 runs were added in the final 27.2 overs before the close of play.

Jason Holder bowled a tight spell after tea and claimed the wicket of South African captain Temba Bavuma, who did not play a shot and was given leg before for 28 to a ball which cut back sharply.

De Zorzi, playing in his second Test, batted fluently to be on 75 off 124 deliveries at Tea but could add only another 10 runs off 31 balls before he was bowled by Motie.

He was drawn forward and beaten by a flighted delivery which spun back and hit the top of his off stump.

Motie finished the day with three for 75.

Ryan Rickelton was caught behind for 22 off Alzarri Joseph and Kyle Mayers claimed two wickets with the second new ball late in the day, bowling Wiaan Mulder and having Simon Harmer caught behind.

Motie earlier had Dean Elgar caught at short fine leg for 42, and then denied Markram a second century in successive matches when Markram attempted a scoop shot.

Aiden Markram struck 17 boundaries on his way to a 96-run innings on Day 1. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The ball looped off his bat and Jermaine Blackwood ran around from slip to leg slip to hold the catch.

Markram had been in imperious form, striking 17 boundaries off 139 balls.

Elgar and Markram put on 76 for the first wicket after Bavuma won the toss and chose to bat on an unusually docile Wanderers pitch.

At a venue with a tradition for pace and bounce, a dry surface gave some assistance to the spin bowlers on the first day, seemingly justifying South Africa’s decision to choose two spinners.

De Zorzi joined Markram in a free-scoring second-wicket partnership of 116 off 164 balls for the second wicket.

The West Indies regained a measure of control after Markram’s dismissal, with De Zorzi and Bavuma batting at a more sedate pace before Tea.

Then, in a pattern similar to the first day of the first Test at Centurion, the West Indies dominated the last session.