South Africa claimed a 333-run over Bangladesh in the first Test at Potchefstroom on Monday morning.
The Proteas wrapped up the first Test against Bangladesh in the first session of day five, taking the remaining seven wickets required for victory with minimal fuss. While Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj were stars of the fifth day, the victory was set-up by Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram as well as a markedly poor decision from Mushfiqur Rahim to bowl first after winning the toss.
Markram and Elgar got the South Africans off to the ideal start with an opening stand of 196 before the former was run out three short of a debut century. Elgar – who needs to shoulder some of the blame for the run out – pushed on to a career best 199 before falling to Mustafizur.
Hashim Amla fell shortly before Elgar for 137 before Temba Bavuma and Faf du Plessis pushed the score to 496 before the declaration came. The reply from the Bangladeshis was solid if not spectacular, as they were bowled out for 320. Morne Morkel (two), Kagiso Rabada (two) Keshav Maharaj (three) Andile Phelukwayo (one) and Duanne Olivier (one) were all in the wickets. The latter, however, was expensive and will need to step up big time, especially in the absence of Morkel who picked up a side strain day four.
The Proteas were in full control of the match taking a 176-run lead into their second innings. Although Elgar and Markram weren’t able to dominate as they did on day one, the baton was picked up by du Plessis (81) and Bavuma (71) – two guys who really needed the runs going into this series. That partnership along with minor contributions from de Kock, Phelukwayo and Maharaj saw the South Africans move to 247-5 before the declaration came, leaving Bangladesh with a target of 423 for victory.
Morkel was brilliant in the final stages of day four before pulling up with a side strain that is likely to keep him out of action for up to six weeks. The slack left behind by Morkel was picked up in brilliant fashion by Rabada and Maharaj who cleaned up the rest of the middle and lower order before the lunch on the final day to seal a 333-run lead.
The teams will now turn their attention toward Bloemfontein for the second and final Test before we move on to the limited overs stuff. Du Plessis will be hoping for a bit more pace and bounce in the City of Roses. The wicket in Potch left a lot to be desired with a lack of pace and bounce more akin to what we ordinarily see in Bangladesh.
