Elgar, Markram, Amla run Bangladesh ragged

Dean Elgar batted all day for an unbeaten 128, and Aiden Markram and Hashim Amla scored half-centuries as South Africa controlled the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on Thursday (September 28).

Elgar scored his ninth Test century, and was finally part of a big opening stand with Markram, the debutant, as the two added 196 for the first wicket before the latter’s hopes of a century on debut was ended by a run out. South Africa’s dominance, however, continued as Amla joined Elgar, who appeared to be batting with cramps in the final session of the day, and the two added 102 runs for the unbroken second wicket as the home side ended on 298 for 1. Amla was unbeaten on 68 at the close.

Mushfiqur Rahim, the Bangladesh captain, opted to field on winning the toss, saying he expected help for his three-man pace attack early on, but Faf du Plessis, who expressed his surprise at Rahim’s call, was proven right as the batsmen took charge straightaway.

Some balls did keep low once in a way, but Elgar and Markram were largely untroubled during their association. Markram, 22, was Elgar’s fourth opening partner this year and helped register South Africa’s first half-century opening stand in 16 innings, and then its first century opening stand since December last year.

Markram’s 97 came off 152 balls, including 13 fours, before he was run out after a mix-up with Elgar in the last over before tea. Elgar was on 99 then, and reached his century off 176 deliveries two balls later.

Amla settled in straightaway and dominated the final session even as Elgar slowed down. Amla, then on 40, could have been dismissed had Sabbir Rahman, the part-time medium pacer, managed to hold on to a hard-hit return catch, but it spilt out, and South Africa cruised through to the end of the day.

Along with Markram, South Africa also handed a debut to Andile Phehlukwayo, the all-rounder.