Although Bangladesh have been poor, South Africa were ruthless in the second Test, writes GARY LEMKE. Cricket is a game of statistics, and those statistics based on Bangladesh’s previous trips to South Africa, suggested the second Test in Bloemfontein would be all over on the third day, with the visitors being bowled out for 180. They managed 172. Bangladesh have… Read more →
Bangladesh went into tea on day two of the second Test in big trouble at 61-4 after Proteas bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier and Wayne Parnell struck early.
Just to rub it in, the Proteas batted on for seven overs after lunch to declare on 573-4 against Bangladesh.
Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis moved smoothly to their hundreds when play started after a 90-minute rain delay on day two in Bloemfontein.
The only real question in the second Test against Bangladesh is, when will the Proteas declare?
An opening stand of 243 in 54 overs by Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram set the tone for the Proteas on day one against Bangladesh.
Aiden Markram’s maiden hundred, in his second Test against Bangladesh, is our Play of the Day.
Aiden Markram, cruelly denied a hundred on debut by a run-out last time out, passed the magic milestone in Bloemfontein as the Proteas went to tea on 256-1.
As they did in the first Test, Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram stamped their authority on the match in Bloemfontein, going into lunch on 126-0.
The Proteas lost the toss and were again invited to bat in the second Test against Bangladesh in Bloemfontein.
Describing the first Test against Bangladesh as ‘perfect’, Proteas captain Faf du Plessis now wants a repeat performance to show consistency.
The wicket and the pace bowlers are the key focuses in the second Test in Bloemfontein against Bangladesh, starting Friday.
Duanne Olivier was encouraged by the photos sent to the Proteas dressing room of a wicket full of green grass.
Duanne Olivier, now one the Proteas’ senior strike bowlers in the absence of Morne Morkel, is relishing the prospect of a pacy wicket in the second Test in Bloemfontein.
Dane Paterson, who was added to the Test squad to cover for the injured Morne Morkel, will stay for the ODI series against Bangladesh.
