Markram's ton helps etch name into record books

Cape Town - Despite starring down the barrel of an opening Test defeat against Australia, Proteas opener Aiden Markram has batted his way into the record books.

Scorecard: Proteas v Australia, 1st Test

The Proteas ended Day 4 at Kingsmead in Durban still needing 124 runs for victory, but crucially with a single wicket remaining.

Markram, 23, however was a star for the home side, scoring 143 in the Proteas' second innings, giving him a third Test ton in his fledgling career (7th Test).

Markram on Sunday combined with wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock to post a new record sixth wicket partnership (147) for the Proteas in the fourth innings, breaking the previous mark of 117 set by Jonty Rhodes and Brian McMillan against England at Leeds back in 1998.

Markram's 143 was also the third highest ever Proteas score in the fourth innings behind the 189* of Bruce Mitchell (v England at the Oval in 1947) and the 154* by Graeme Smith, also against England, in Birmingham some 10 years ago.

Highest 6th wicket partnership in 4th innings for SA:
147 A Markram & Q de Kock v Aus Durban 2018
117 J Rhodes & B McMillan v Eng Leeds 1998

— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) March 4, 2018

Highest 4th innings scores for SA:
189* B Mitchell v Eng Oval 1947
154* G Smith v Eng Birmingham 2008
143 A Markram v Aus Durban 2018
136 D Elgar v Eng Oval 2017
134 F du Plessis v Ind Johannesburg 2013

— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) March 4, 2018