Proteas riding on Elgar magic

The Tigers’ hopes for a win evaporate

As South Africa continued to pile on the runs culminating in a commanding day-one stumps lead of 298/1 yesterday, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim looked like a man who was watching a horror movie.

After winning the toss, Rahim decided to bowl first, but it turned out to be the wrong decision as the Proteas’ batsmen gave a batting masterclass to take a sizeable early advantage in the proceedings.

The Bangladesh bowlers toiled the whole day and the only wicket to fall was in the 55th when Markram was run out on 97 to deny him the milestone of becoming the seventh SA batsman to score a hundred on Test debut.

The last South African to score a century on his debut was Stephen Cook when he scored his century off 187 deliveries on day one of the fourth and final Test against England at Centurion in January last year.

Dean Elgar and Markram put together a partnership of 196, which was South Africa’s first opening partnership of 150 or more since Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen against Pakistan in Dubai in 2010.

Elgar scored 128 off 285 at the close of play, with former captain Hashim Amla also contributing 68 of 103 to the total score that is certain to rise considerably today.

Their partnership was 102. Cricket SA (CSA) has parted

● ways with CEO Haroon Lorgat with immediate effect.

CSA president Chris Nenzani said the parting of ways was due to a breakdown in the relationship between Lorgat and the board. –