SA top order hurts Bangladesh again
BLOEMFONTEIN: South African opening batsmen Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram hit centuries as Bangladesh’s bowlers took another pounding on the first day of the second and final Test at Mangaung Oval on Friday.
Elgar made 113 and Markram hit 143 as South Africa piled up 428 for three at the close in Bloemfontein.
Hashim Amla was unbeaten on 89 and in sight of his second century of the series, while South African captain Faf du Plessis was on 62 not out.
Markram’s maiden century came in his second Test, eight days after he was run out for 97 in his debut innings during the first Test in Potchefstroom.
It was almost an action replay of the first day of the first Test.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim won the toss and sent South Africa in, only for his bowlers to be put to the sword in a massive opening partnership.
The only major difference was that Bangladesh reshuffled their bowling attack, retaining only Mustafizur Rahman of their front-line bowlers.
The replacements made no significant improvement on those who had played in Potchefstroom.
Although the pitch had more pace and bounce than in the previous match, it only contributed to a faster scoring rate as the ball came on to the bat better.
Elgar and Markram’s partnership of 243 exceeded the 196 they put on to set up South Africa’s 333-run win in the opening match.
Elgar followed up his 199 in Potchefstroom with his tenth Test century.
He made his runs off 152 balls, with 17 fours. When he reached 16 he became the first batsman in the world to score 1000 runs in 2017.
THE TOURING BOWLERS REVERTED TO SHORT STUFF AFTER GETTING LITTLE OUT OF THE PITCH EARLY ON. THEY WERE ALSO WAYWARD.
Brief Scores: South Africa 428-3 (D Elgar 113, A Markram 143, H Amla 89, du Plessis 62, S Roy 2-85) vs Bangladesh