Cape Town – Aiden Markram scored a century for the Proteas on Friday in their warm-up match against an Indian Board President’s XI in Vizianagaram.

On the second day of the three-day match – South Africa’s final preparation ahead of their Test series against India – the Proteas had reached 199/5 at stumps after the entire first day was washed out due to rain. 

Markram retired after reaching exactly 100* (118) while Temba Bavuma was the other success story of the day from a South African perspective as he finished 55* (92). 

It is Markram’s second century in as many innings after his superb 161 for South Africa ‘A’ in their unofficial Test match against India ‘A’ last week. 

The rest of the South African top order struggled, however, with opener Dean Elgar (6), Theunis de Bruin (6), Zubayr Hamza (22) and captain Faf du Plessis (9) all unable to play innings of substance. 

For Markram and Bavuma, though, the runs will be a welcomed sight for the Proteas and interim team director Enoch Nkwe ahead of what is set to be a testing three-match series against Virat Kohli’s India. 

The first of those three Tests starts on October 2 in Visakhapatnam.

Scores in brief:

SA 199/5 (Markram 100 retired out, Bavuma 55*, Jadeja 2/52)

SA lead by 199 runs with 5 first innings wickets remaining