Bangladesh South Africa Test Series
2nd Test Played at St Georges Park, Port Elizabeth
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day one
South Africa 278/5 (Dean Elgar 70, Temba Bavuma 67, Keegan Peterson 64, Ryan Rikelton 42, Taijul Islam 3/77, Khaled Ahmed 2/59)
Collective batting efforts of South African top order, Inconsistent pace bowling, business as usual impressive long spell bowling of Taijul (3/59) were the features of day one of all important 2nd and the final test of Bangladesh test mission in South Africa. The visitors desperately needs to at least drawing the match for avoiding yet another series white wash. The greenish wicket looked flat , two pacers in the first session looked average. Experienced Taijul bowled tight and kept protean under check. Finishing the day at 278/5 South Africans have nose at front. Unless Bangladesh strikes early and manage to restrict home team below 350 it may develop into a situation when Bangladesh would need struggling against home teams spin attack on day four and five.
Mindset of Bangladesh think tank stayed the same as Bangladesh again appeared with 4 front line bowling attack. Analysts thought that it was worth taking a risk or two taking additional bowler. But as former Bangladesh Captain and one of the s elector Habibul Bashar Sumon was heard saying “ Absence of Shakib perplexes team think tank in s electing a balanced attack” . At least the mistake of ignoring experienced Spinner Taijul was not repeated. He looked impressive and taking three wickets he kept South Africans under check. Khaled and Ebadat wasted first new ball bowling too short and pitching on wrong line.
Bangladesh had their star opening batsman Tamim Iqbal back in the team after recovering from stomach ailment. Taijul returned replacing injured Taskin. Unchanged South Africa batted after winning the toss. All five top order batsmen Dean Elgar (70), Temba Bavuma (67) ,Keegan Peterson (44) , Ryan Rickelton(42) and Sarel Erwee ( 24) made contribution. Wicket after assisting the pacers at early stage looked reasonably flat. Home team had two good partnerships -81 for the second wicket between Elgar and Peterson and the other 83 between Bavuma and Rickelton. In either case test veteran Taijul broke the partnership proving that ignoring him for the Durban test was a crime by Bangladesh s electors. Bangladesh missed a fifth bowler. Taijul has already bowled 32 overs. Hope he stays fit as his consistent bowling would be essential in wrapping up home teams first innings and in the second innings of South Africa as weill. Unfortunately Miraj could not make any impression at all. Bangladesh pacers bowled better with the second new ball.
We are talking about including a fifth bowler but which batsman would be taken out ? In consideration of present form it should be either captain Mominul or pathetic looking Mushfique. Bangladesh think tank is not bold enough taking that risk. So Bangladesh has to be contended with 4 bowlers and keep fingers crossed that they all stay fit. However, Litton pulling out at later stage of day one was a bit of an worry. Hope he recovers over night. Bangladesh cannot miss his batting. Bangladesh was again hesitant in taking DRS. The tourists are already in the back foot . They now need restricting home team below 350 and batting bravely to make a match of it. Wicket has very little for the bowlers.
BDST: 2334 HRS, APR 08, 2022
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