Opener Aiden Markram fell four runs short of a century as South Africa reached 311/7 at stumps on Day I of the second and final Test against the West Indies at the Wanderers.

The hosts raced along at four runs an over in the first two sessions, but the Windies were much improved after tea on Wednesday and strangled the scoring rate, picking up five wickets. Heinrich Klaasen will resume on Thursday unbeaten on 17 with Keshav Maharaj, who’s yet to face a ball.

South Africa won the toss and elected to bat, reaching 247/2 at tea with Dean Elgar out for 42 and Markram unable to reach three figures in successive Tests as he fell for a fluent 96 in a knock comprising 17 fours.

He attempted a sweep off impressive Windies spinner Gudakesh Motie (3/75) but could only toe-end the ball to Jermaine Blackwood, who ran around from slip and held on to the catch.

“We felt the pitch played nicely and quickened up after lunch. We couldn’t really capitalise. But hopefully, we can get more runs in the next morning,” Markram said.

The visitors were erratic with their lines and lengths for the first 60 overs and paid the price, but they tightened up in the day’s final session on a wicket with pace and bounce.

Proteas captain TembaBavuma scored 28 after his pair of ducks in the first Test before Jason Holder trapped him lbw.

In his second Test, Tonyde Zorzi (85) hit a well-crafted maiden half-century beforeMotie found a way through his defence.

Brief scores: South Africa 311/7 (A. Markram 96; G. Motie 3/75) vs West Indies. At stumps, Day I.