South Africa pile on the runs against Bangladesh

South Africa produced yet another commanding display of batting against Bangladesh as the host scored 428 runs for the loss of just three wickets in 90 overs at stumps on day one during their second and final Test match at Mangaung Oval Friday. This is the fifth time Bangladesh have conceded more than 400 in a single day of Test cricket. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis remained not out on 62 while No 3 batsman Hashim Amla was unbeaten on 89. Amla and Du Plessis formed an unbroken 140-run partnership for the fourth wicket at the close of play. Middle-order batsman Temba Bavuma was the only batter who did not reach the double figure as pacer Subashish Roy dismissed him for seven.

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Both the openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram struck centuries and built another solid opening partnership of 243. The opening pair scored runs pretty quickly as their stand was crafted in just 53.4 overs with a healthy run rate of 4.55. Bangladesh finally made the breakthrough in the 54th over when Elgar was caught by paceman Mustafizur Rahman at long leg after the left-hander bagged 10th century. The southpaw scored 113 off 152 balls with 17 boundaries. Before that, the other opener Markram did not miss the chance to score his maiden century after being dismissed for 97 in the first Test at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom.The young Proteas opener reached his milestone in the 44th over and eventually got out after tea courtesy a brilliant yorker from pace bowler Rubel Hossian in the 59th over. Markram’s 143-run innings was composed with 22 boundaries. Earlier, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss again and elected to field. Bangladesh made four changes to the playing eleven that played in the previous Test. Opener Soumya Sarkar replaced the injured opening batsman Tamim Iqbal while pacers Taskin Ahmed and Shafiul Islam and youngster Mehedi Hasan Miraz were also dropped in favour of Rubel, Subashish and left-arm spinner Taijul Islam.So it was only Mustafizur who retained his place from the previous bowling attack in the Potchefstroom Test. However, the changes did not work for Bangladesh at all. The pitch was slightly greener compared to the first Test wicket. And it was predicted that the seamers would get help from the pitch. But the execution of bowling was poor from the Bangladesh seamers.

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Only Mustafizur bowled in a good channel during the first spell while both Subashish and Rubel bowled half volleys and full tosses in the first hour. As a result, the South African openers played confidently and remained unbeaten in the morning session. The Proteas went into lunch on 126/0. Ahead of the second day's play, Bangladesh are facing some injury concerns as opener Imrul Kayes got injured while fielding in the 35th over before leaving the field. He was fielding at gully and while trying to catch the ball, which dropped in front of him, the ball bounced before him and eventually hit his knee.

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Imrul did not field for the remainder of the day.BRIEF SCORESouth Africa 428/3 in 90 overs (Markram 143, Elgar 113, Amla 89*, Du Plessis 62*, Subashish 2/85)

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