Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo believes the first day of the first Test match against hosts South Africa at Durban ended on a par. The day, which started late due to sight screen malfunctioning, saw an early finish for bad light with South Africa on 233 for four.
Bangladesh had remained wicketless in the first session of the day but bounced back strong after lunch to remove top three Proteas batters. In the last session right-arm pacer Ebadot Hossain got Bangladesh the fourth wicket in debutant Ryan Rickelton [21].
ALSO READ I South Africa 233-4 at stumps on day one
“The first half an hour break didn’t do any team any favours. I think there’s a little bit of a difference between a 10am and 10:30am start. It didn’t help us at all. We didn’t start well too. We bowled pretty average in the first session. But then came back superbly well after lunch. I supposed it is an even day at the moment. They only got 230. If we can nip out two in the morning, it puts us in a good position,” said Domingo to the media following stumps.
“We have a very inexperienced bowling attack. Khaled is playing his fourth Test. Ebadot is our most experienced with 12 matches. His last Test was probably three or four months ago. I hope the boys learned from the poor first session. They were a bit nervous. They were eager to bowl on a wicket that they think is going to help them a little bit. They lost their discipline a little bit. They were superb after lunch,” the former South Africa cricketer explained.
It was perhaps Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s incredible effort to get Keegan Petersen [19] run out in the second session that remained as highlight for Bangladesh in the day.
Mehidy at point made a rapid stop to his right and threw the ball back at the keeper's end with only one of the three sticks visible. The ball flicked the timbers, reminding South African legend Jonty Rhodes, well before Petersen could make it home.
“It was one of the best run-outs I have seen. He [Miraz] has been an amazing cricketer for us with the bat and ball, and in the field. He has taken some good catches. He has great energy and attitude. It was a special run-out from a guy who is really confident in his game at the moment. It was very pleasing to see,” said the former South Africa cricketer,” said Domingo.
“I think we have kept it nice and tight in the last session. It would be fantastic if we could pick up one or two wickets with the new ball. We have to keep it as simple as possible. Be consistent tomorrow morning. Statistically it shows the day one score in Kingsmead is 240 for five, so it is not generally a high-scoring ground. If we can keep them to around 300-320, we are very much in the contest,” said the Bangladesh head coach.
