SA vs BAN, 1st Test, Day 1: Bangladesh bounce back in afternoon session with three wickets
South Africa went into tea at 165 for three. Bavuma was not out on 22 and debutant Ryan Rickelton on 11. The second session was won by Bangladesh as the home side scored 70 runs in 29 overs and lost three wickets.
Bangladesh put on a much better show with the ball in the second session of the first Test between them and South Africa in Durban after a barren morning session. South Africa openers - Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee - kept Bangladesh bowlers at bay after being sent in to bat first by Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque Bangladesh's pace trio of Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain and Khaled Ahmed were too indisciplined and too uncertain about their line and length and that made life very comfortable for the Protea openers in the first session.
The start was delayed by 35 minutes due to sight screen malfunction at both ends. Taskin started off with a full toss that went for a four. That pretty much summed up Bangladesh's effort in the first session. The pacers strayed onto the pads, bowled short and wide and could never trouble Elgar and Erwee.
Elgar looked positive right from the start and reached his fifty in quick time off only 60 balls with nine four. On the other hand, Erwee was happy to knock it around. Bangladesh's only sniff came towards the end of the first session when Erwee tried to slash a short ball from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Litton Das dropped the catch.
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Miraz bowled well in the first session and continued to do so in the second one. Ebadot set the tone for the pacers in the second session by correcting his line and length and landed a few in the right areas. But it was Khaled Ahmed who got the first breakthrough by getting rid of Elgar. The ball bounced a bit more than he expected, brushed Elgar's gloves and Litton took a good diving catch. Elgar scored 67.
Erwee followed his partner in the next over as he was played on by Miraz on 41. South Africa were 117 for two.
The hosts needed a partnership after the quick fall of both openers. Keegan Petersen and Temba Bavuma were kept quiet by the Bangladeshi bowlers as they found a bit of rhythm in the second session. Just when it seemed that Bavuma and Petersen would just overcome the pressure, Miraz produced a brilliant bit of fielding to send the latter back.
Bavuma opened the face of his bat and set off for a single. But Miraz, diving to his right at point, stopped the ball and hit the bull's eye. From 113 for none, the visitors were reduced to 146 for three.
South Africa finished the second session at 165 for three. Bavuma was not out on 22 and debutant Ryan Rickelton on 11. The second session was won by Bangladesh as the home side scored 70 runs in 29 overs and lost three wickets.
The visitors are without Tamim Iqbal and Shoriful Islam. Tamim is missing out due to a stomach ache from the morning and has stayed back at the hotel. Shoriful Islam has been rested for some minor niggles. Khaled Ahmed will fill in for Shoriful while Shadman Islam and Mahmudul Hasan Joy will open the innings.
On the other hand, South Africa have handed debuts to Ryan Rickelton and Lizaad Williams. They are playing two spinners - Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer - for the first time in a home Test in 52 years. This is Harmer's first Test match since 2015.
