Innings South Africa 176 for 6 dec. (Erwee 41, Verreynee 39*, Taijul 3-67) and 453 lead Bangladesh 217 by 412 runs
South Africa set Bangladesh a 413-run target to chase in the fourth innings of the second Test, in Gqeberha, but more importantly about half an hour of batting on the third evening, after they declared on 176 for 6.
The hosts came out with intent post the tea interval collecting boundaries at regular intervals. Kyle Verreynne batted like a declaration was on the way as he hit his straps from the get-go striking 39 off 30 balls. Dean Elgar declared as soon as Mehidy Hasan Miraz bowled Wiaan Mulder for 6.
Taijul Islam added three more wickets to his tally in the second innings, finishing with a total of nine wickets in the match. He took the two South Africa wickets to fall before tea, and then had Ryan Rickelton after the break. Taijul was easily Bangladesh’s best bowler in the first innings and he continued his form by first cleaning up Elgar for 26 before trapping Keegan Petersen lbw.
Shortly after the tea interval, Sarel Erwee hit one straight to short mid-on off Khaled Ahmed, having made 41. Rickelton was the next to go, caught at a similar short mid-on position, with Taijul picking up the wicket. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who had earlier got hit on the chest by an Erwee cut shot which he didn’t see at gully, removed Temba Bavuma lbw for 30.
Earlier, Bangladesh, after a positive start were bowled out for 217, losing their last five wickets for just 25 runs. Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Ali had put on 70 runs for the sixth wicket, after they began the day on 139 for 5. Yasir started the day with three fours in a row off Lizaad Williams, before Mushfiqur joined in with his drives, cuts and sweeps.
But as soon as Yasir departed for 46, giving Keshav Maharaj a return catch, Bangladesh’s batting unravelled quickly. Simon Harmer clean bowled Mushfiqur who played a reverse sweep one ball after reaching his fifty, while Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Ebadot Hossain all skied the balls with Williams taking two good catches.
This article was originally published by Espncricinfo.com. Read the original article here.