Markram delays Aus victory

Aiden Markram drove a blending South African fightback however couldn't keep Australia from surrounding triumph on the fourth day of the main Test at Kingsmead on Sunday. 

Opening batsman Markram made 143 however South Africa were holding tight at 293 for nine, still 124 runs shy of an objective of 417, when terrible light halted play. 

South Africa were stuck in an unfortunate situation at 49 for four yet Markram imparted stands of 87 to Theunis de Bruyn (36) and 147 with Quinton de Kock (81 not out) which gave South Africa trust that they could pull off a wonder triumph. 

His rejection, however, opened the entryway for Australia to tear through the tail. Mitchell Starc took three wickets in five balls to have South Africa nine down. 

That made the umpires disclose to Australian skipper Steve Smith that play could just proceed on the off chance that he utilized moderate bowlers. De Kock and Morne Morkel survived nine overs in consistently weakening light against Smith and Nathan Lyon before the umpires took the players off five minutes previously the booked close. 

That South Africa would even engage black out any desires for triumph appeared to be unimaginable when their four most senior batsmen were expelled without achieving twofold figures. 

However, Markram, in just his seventh Test, resisted the urge to panic in the midst of the savagery. The recuperation began with a decided organization for the fifth wicket with De Bruyn, who made an in vogue 36 preceding he was gotten behind off Josh Hazlewood. It was the main wicket to fall amongst lunch and tea. 

Markram was joined by De Kock, whose frame driving into the Test had been grim. Be that as it may, the left-gave wicketkeeper looked in great touch from the begin and took the battle to the Australians. 

It was Markram's third Test century yet effortlessly his vital innings. He made hundreds against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, two of cricket's lesser forces, prior in the season. He demonstrated great self-restraint, a sound procedure and some rich off side drives in a 218-ball innings which included 19 limits. 

The harm was done before lunch when Dean Elgar, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and skipper Faf du Plessis all fell economically. 

Markram and Elgar put on 29 for the principal wicket before Elgar edged a forcefully lifting conveyance from Starc to wicketkeeper Tim Paine to be out for nine. 

Amla maintained a strategic distance from a couple however just made eight preceding he was leg before wicket to Hazlewood. 

South Africa at that point endured a sledge blow when De Villiers, their best scorer in the principal innings, was run out for nothing. 

Markram killed a ball from spinner Nathan Lyon behind square leg and did not react when De Villiers called him through for a run. De Villiers needed to turn and endeavored to backpedal however couldn't beat David Warner's toss to Lyon. 

Pat Cummins hit with his third wad of the innings when he beat Du Plessis for pace and smoothed his off stump. 

SCORES IN BRIEF 

AUSTRALIA: First innings 351 

SOUTH AFRICA: First innings 162 

AUSTRALIA: Second innings 227 (Bancroft 53, Warner 28, Smith 38, Marsh 33, Cummins 26; Morkel 3-47, Maharaj 4-102, Rabada 2-28) 

SOUTH AFRICA: Second innings 293 for 9 (Markram 143, De Bruyn 36, De Kock 81 not out; Starc 4-74, Hazlewood 2-57)