S. Africa in strong position but top-scorer Elgar still unhappy

POTCHEFSTROOM ( South Africa): South Africa were in a strong position at the end of the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh, but top-scorer Dean Elgar wasn’t satisfied with his team’s performance at the start of Bangladesh’s innings.

Bangladesh were 127 for three at the close, still trailing by 369 runs after South Africa declared their first innings on 496 for three.

Elgar, who made 199, said: “We are in quite a strong position but our bowlers didn’t really hit their straps, especially with the new ball.”

Although opening bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel both took a wicket, Elgar said they had wasted too many deliveries.

“The new ball doesn’t last very long on this wicket as we’ve seen over the last two days.”

Elgar admitted culpability for twice dropping Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

Mushfiqur was dropped on six and 15 before eventually being caught at short leg off Maharaj for 44.

“With the chances that Kesh created they might have been in more trouble. I was standing too close,” he said.

Elgar said the target had been to take three wickets before the close.

“We got our three but they got too many runs towards the end.”

Elgar and and Hashim Amla, who was in sublime form in scoring 137, put on 215 for the second wicket to build on the opening stand of 196 between Elgar and new cap Aiden Markram on Thursday.

South Africa batted on remorselessly until tea before captain Faf du Plessis declared.

The declaration caused a problem for Bangladesh because regular opener Tamim Iqbal had been off the field towards the end of South Africa’s innings, which meant he had to wait for 48 minutes before he could bat. — AFP