Watch: Jason Holder flattens Aiden Markram’s off stump during the first Test

South Africa began their short tour of the West Indies with the first Test being played at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad and Tobago. It was South Africa who won the toss and opted to bat first as an overcast day in Trinidad welcomed the two sides. 

Aiden Markram came out to open the batting along with Tony De Zorzi. The pair added 43 for the 1st wicket with Markram playing the sedate knock while his opening partner was going after the bowling.

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Former West Indian skipper Jason Holder then got the first wicket of the day when he knocked back the off pole of Aiden Markram. The ball kept a tad low as Markram saw the stumps take a beating as he was out for nine. 

Rain plays spoilsport as teams take early lunch 

West Indies came into the series on the back of their series whitewash against England. While Aiden Markram was quiet with the bat, it was Tony De Zorzi who was being aggressive. 

The left-handed batter was batting on 32 runs from 52 balls with the help of two fours and an equal number of sixes. Tristan Stubbs came out to bat at number three spot when the rain came and halted the proceedings as the teams took lunch. 

Kemar Roach was back in the West Indian setup after missing the series against England. Jomel Worrican was the second spinning option along with Gudakesh Motie for the hosts. 

South Africa went in with their full-strength squad after their second-string side had toured New Zealand earlier this year. The last time the full-strength South African squad played a Test series was against India. Aiden Markram and his side had lost to India at Cape Town within two days. 

Here are the playing XI of both sides 

West Indies XI: Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Mikyle Louis, Keacy Carty, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva(w), Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Gudakesh Motie, Jomel Warrican

South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma(c), David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne(w), Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi