Rabada takes South Africa to brink of series victory

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa: South Africa’s fast bowlers ripped through Bangladesh’s batting as the home side gained a massive 426-run first innings lead on the second day of the second and final Test at Mangaung Oval on Saturday.

Bangladesh were bowled out for 147 in reply to South Africa’s 573 for four declared.

The hosts enforced the follow-on and Bangladesh were seven for no wicket when bad light stopped play.

Kagiso Rabada took five for 33 and new ball partner Duanne Olivier claimed three for 40.

Only wicketkeeper Liton Das, with a careerbest 70, offered prolonged resistance to the pace barrage as the gulf between the sides in South African conditions was ruthlessly exposed.

Bangladesh’s dismal showing was in stark contrast to the ease with which South Africa’s batsmen dominated the visiting bowlers.

Hashim Amla and captain Faf du Plessis completed centuries before South Africa declared.

Amla (132) and Du Plessis (135 not out) became the third and fourth centurions of the innings. They joined Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, who made centuries on the first day.

Amla’s 28th Test hundred took him past former captain Graeme Smith on South Africa’s all-time century-makers list, behind only Jacques Kallis, who made 45.

The only previous occasion on which South Africa scored four centuries in an innings was against the West Indies in a high-scoring draw in St. John’s in 2004/05.

Du Plessis hit his seventh Test century — his first in 19 innings going back to a day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide in November 2016.