Centuries for Elgar, Markram highlight day one of 2nd Test

SOUTH Africa’s openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram hit centuries as Bangladesh’s bowlers were outclassed on day one of the second and final Test at Mangaung Oval yesterday (fri).

The hosts were 256 for one at tea. Elgar made 113 and Markram was unbeaten on 135.At deadline SA were 345/3.

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.

For the second successive match, the South African opening pair gave Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim cause to regret his decision to bowl first. Their partnership of 243 exceeded the 196 they put on to set up South Africa’s 333-run win in the first Test.

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 1 000 Test runs in 2017.

Neither batsman gave a chance until Elgar, on 110, gloved an attempted hook off Mustafizur Rahman and wicketkeeper Liton Das leapt high but could not hold on.

Mustafizur was replaced by Subashis Roy, and when Elgar hooked again, Mustafizur ran in from fine leg to take an excellent diving catch.

Markram was more subdued at the start of the innings but reached 50 off 81 balls. He square drove Rubel Hossain for four to reach 97 and scarcely had time to remember his dismissal on the same score in Potchefstroom before he hooked the next delivery for his 16th four to reach his century off 141 balls. — AFP