The Herald (South Africa)

Faf demands green top in Bloem

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IF Bangladesh’s batsmen found the going tough in the first test, they can expect it to be even more difficult in the second match if South African captain Faf du Plessis gets his way.

“I’m on the groundsman’s case,” Du Plessis said after South Africa bowled Bangladesh out for 90 to complete a crushing 333-run win on the fifth day of the first test at Senwes Park yesterday.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada took three for 33 and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj four for 25 as the tourists lost their last seven wickets for 41 runs.

“I was really disappoint­ed with the conditions. They were not what we asked for,” Du Plessis said.

Du Plessis said he expected the pitch for the second test, starting in Bloemfonte­in on Friday, to be more helpful to South Africa’s fast bowlers.

“Hopefully, there will be a bit more grass on the pitch in Bloemfonte­in,” he said. “I am expecting more bounce and carry.”

Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim admitted his team had missed an opportunit­y to be more competitiv­e on a pitch which some felt was more akin to conditions in the Asian sub-continent than those usually found in South Africa.

Rahim astonished most commentato­rs when he sent South Africa in after winning the toss.

The hosts piled up 496 for three declared, with man-of-the-match Dean Elgar making 199, new cap Aiden Markram 97 and Hashim Amla 137.

Bangladesh were never in the game after that, despite good half-centuries from Mominul Haque and Mahmudulla­h in a first innings total of 320.

Rahim said he probably would bat if he had the chance again but said his bowlers had let the team down in the first innings.

“I did not know the wicket would be this flat. It was a flat track but they didn’t put the ball in the right areas,” he said.

The Bangladesh captain, first man out in a devastatin­g three-wicket spell by Rabada at the start of play yesterday, said: “I can’t remember the last time we were bowled out for less than 100.”

Du Plessis said he was happy with the way South Africa had executed their skills in the first match of a 10-test home summer but admitted that the loss of fast bowler Morne Morkel was a big blow. Morkel, who took the first two wickets on Sunday, left the field with a side strain and is expected to be out of action for about six weeks.

He joins fellow fast bowlers Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Chris Morris on the sidelines because of injury.

“To lose another key member of our bowling attack is very disappoint­ing,” Du Plessis said. – AFP

‘ Hopefully, there will be a bit more grass on the pitch

 ?? Picture: AFP/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA ?? HIGH FIVES: South African spinner Keshav Maharaj, right, celebrates the dismissal of Bangladesh batsman Sabbir Rahman during the fifth day of the test in Potchefstr­oom yesterday
Picture: AFP/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA HIGH FIVES: South African spinner Keshav Maharaj, right, celebrates the dismissal of Bangladesh batsman Sabbir Rahman during the fifth day of the test in Potchefstr­oom yesterday
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