South Africa vs Bangladesh 1st Test Day 2: Harmer’s Day in Durban

Apr 01, 2022

South Africa vs Bangladesh 1st Test Day 2: Harmer’s Day in Durban Image

A late burst from Simon Harmer, who had earlier batted well with the tail after playing his first Test match in seven years, helped South Africa claim the upper hand in the first Test match against Bangladesh, in Durban. Bangladesh are 98/4 overnight, trailing by 269. They will resume with Mahmudul Hasan Joy on 44 and nightwatch Taskin Ahmed on 0.

South Africa would have considered themselves slightly ahead after they concluded Day 1 on 233/4, with Temba Bavuma on 53 and Kyle Verreynne on 27. They added 12 to the overnight score, when Khaled Ahmed struck with successive balls, having Verreynne leg before for 28 and Wiaan Mulder caught by Mahmudul Hasan Joy.

Bavuma, who had watched all this unfold from the other end, was left to pick up the pieces with Keshav Maharaj. They added 53 before Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled Bavuma for 93. Then, off the first ball of the next over, Ebadot Hossain bowled Maharaj for 28.

At 298/8, Bangladesh had hopes of restricting South Africa, Harmer added 34 with Lizaad Williams and 35 with Duanne Olivier. By the time Miraz had Olivier leg before for 12, South Africa had reached 367. Harmer remained unbeaten on 38. Khaled took 4-92 and Miraz 3-94.

Joy and Shadman Islam opened the Bangladesh innings, but their partnership was broken when Harmer bowled Shadman for 9. Joy and Najmul Hossain Shanto then added 55 for the second wicket before Harmer struck twice in successive overs. He bowled Shanto for 38 and had Mominul Haque caught without score.

And there was still time before stumps for him to claim a fourth wicket, of Mushfiqur Rahim, caught behind for seven.

Brief scores:

South Africa 367 (Temba Bavuma 93; Khaled Ahmed 4-92) lead Bangladesh 98/4 (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 44*; Simon Harmer 4-42) by 269 runs.