RSA VS ZIM - Only Test, Zimbabwe tour of South Africa, 2017

It has been a pleasure bringing you the action in this historic, albeit, rather brief Test match, though it was exciting to watch the quick bowlers under lights. And, as Markram mentioned in his interview last evening, the prospect of wickets definitely draws in the crowd in the final session under the floodlights. Perhaps the next four-day Test will last a little longer than two, and we can finally have a test drive of the format. But that's a headache for another time. This is Rishi Roy signing off on behalf of my esteemed colleagues Abhinand Raghavendran, Nikhil, Varun Dixit, Kumar Abhisekh Das and Shashikant Singh. You've been an excellent audience (I assume) and we look forward to bringing you more cricketing action soon. Until then, sayonara!

So we've had an interesting Test match. I spoke about the challenges that lay ahead for the batsmen in a 4-day Test, and we saw Elgar and Markram showing some compact technique against some consistent and penetrative bowling; a pleasing sight for any purist. A little bit of a mis-match, if I may say so. The Zimbabwean batting was simply no match for the South African bowling line-up and the touring Indian side must be wary of them. Philander and Rabada's numbers might project them as side-shows, but they were lethal as well. Morkel and Maharaj took away the limelight with their impressive spells and Zimbabwe simply capitulated under pressure to concede a massive defeat.

Markram: "It was nice to get stuck in there during the innings. I loved the challenge and we came out on top in difficult conditions. It's been a good fight, enjoyed every minute of it. It makes me grow as a person, being out there, facing the heat of the battle. You learn the most when you are out in the middle and I have managed to play to my strengths until this series. It didn't get easier to bat at all and I never felt in on this surface; you noticed. I'm sure that even after a partnership, the batting side lost wickets in clusters. (The home series against) India will be a great challenge, and it'll be interesting and exciting to be up against the best in the world."

Man of the Match: Markram for his brilliant 125 in the first innings

AB de Villiers, South Africa captain: "I really enjoyed myself out there. Nice to get some runs, would have liked to get some more. Great to play Test cricket again. Always a nice crowd in Port Elizabeth. We love playing here. It's good (talking about the back) and not too bad at the moment. (About de Kock) I'm sure he'll be okay. He's fine, not much damage according to the scans. He should be okay for the India series. Faf will be back for the India series. It'll be great to have him back. The selectors will struggle to pick an XI but it's a good problem to have. The bowlers bowled well and the ball was moving around a bit. The guys landed it in the good areas and did the basics well. The catchers were excellent and got good practice with the follow-on. We are ready for India now. Lost a lot of wickets towards the end. Markram has shown good composure and has been impressive. Thought 300 was impressive in these conditions. It's (the pink ball) moving around a lot in the evening. The last hour will be crucial always. Important not to lose wickets in the afternoon. Lots of changes in this format."

Graeme Cremer, Zimbabwe captain: "We knew it would be tough playing in South Africa, the way it moved around under lights and especially with their bowling. We prepared as well as we could mentally but they were too good for us at the end of the day. More of a mental thing. Against SL and WI, it was a flat wicket, but here there was more seam and swing movement. We tried to tighten up our techniques. We were not overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the moving ball under lights did us. We didn't assess the conditions well. We go to Bangladesh for a tri-series with SL and Bangladesh and then onto Dubai for a series against Afghanistan and then we've got the qualifiers. So, we are busy. Shows us where we are and where we need to be."

Morkel claimed a five-wicket haul and was brilliant with his unplayable spell yesterday. A second innings 5-fer for Maharaj sealed Zimbabwe's fate, who will look to rebuild after this heavy defeat. We will be back for the presentation ceremony and the captains' comments in a bit.

So that's the end of a historic Test at the scenic St. George's Park stadium in Port Elizabeth. A four-day Test has become a further more truncated contest, as it ends within two days! South African skipper AB de Villiers declared in the final session of Day 1 on 309/9, after Markram essayed a fluent and gritty 125. Zimbabwe lost 4 quick wickets under lights and proved AB right, and they went on to be decimated for 68 in the first session of today. They started the second innings with some stoic resistance but then lost the plot, as they crashed to an anti-climatic innings and 120-run defeat.

Maharaj to Muzarabani, out Bowled!! Fifer for Keshav Maharaj! He's gone through the ridiculous slog! Oh aren't tail-enders a joy to watch? The only sport where you are forced to do something you are absolutely horrendous at! Flighted on off and middle, turns away and hits the top of off as Muzarabani goes for the almighty heave. He was looking at mid-wicket before the bat even came through. Eventually, hears the fateful rattle of the stumps behind him. Muzarabani b Maharaj 10(9) [4s-1 6s-1]

Maharaj to Muzarabani, THATS OUT!! Bowled!!

Maharaj to Muzarabani, no run, full and flat on leg, Muzarabani misses the flick.

Maharaj to Muzarabani, no run, good length just outside off, turning away and Muzarabani has a swing and a miss. Beaten in the flight

Philander to Cremer, no run, back of a length delivery on middle and leg and straightening a tad, Cremer stays back and gets a leading edge through to mid-off as he tries a rather cute glance

Philander to Cremer, no run, back of a length delivery just on off, Cremer defends from the crease with soft hands and gets it to the man at point off the outside half of the bat

Philander to Cremer, no run, back of a length just outside of, Cremer hops back onto his toes and punches it to cover off the back foot

ABD taken 8 catches in the match until now

Philander to Cremer, no run, back of a length delivery just outside off and seaming away, Cremer shoulders arms

Philander to Cremer, no run, another short of a length delivery just outside off, Cremer defends from the crease, trusting the bounce

Philander to Cremer, FOUR, good length delivery wide outside off, Cremer stretches and tries to caress a cover drive, manages to slice it off the outside half of the blade to the deep backward point fence for four

Maharaj to Muzarabani, no run, flighted ball just outside off, spinning away and he misses out on the expansive sweep