Onus on South Africa to stamp its authority
If the first Test between Bangladesh and South Africa is anything to go by, we could be in for a potentially exciting five days when the second and final match begins at the Sher-e Bangla Stadium in Mirpur on Thursday (July 30).
However, the weather could throw a spanner in the works like it did in Chittagong, with rain being predicted on all five days of the Test.
Following the One-Day International series loss, its first against Bangladesh, South Africa’s Test team also looked a little out of sorts in the rain-marred first Test. However, the No. 1-ranked Test side will take heart from its consistency in the longest format – South Africa hasn’t lost a Test series away since 2006, and has always won in Bangladesh.
South Africa hadn’t played Test cricket in six months leading in to the Chittagong game, and the rust showed as its batsmen seemed to struggle. Only Temba Bavuma, playing in his third Test, managed a half-century as, after a promising start that saw it reach lunch on the opening day at 104 for 1, South Africa was bowled out for 248.
Quinton de Kock being left out of the side for the second Test opens the door for Dane Vilas to make his Test debut behind the stumps in the only change for South Africa.
Opting for four bowlers instead of the usual three, Bangladesh managed to dismiss South Africa for only the second time in their bilateral encounters.
Bangladesh has enjoyed a lot of success in ODIs in the past few months, and its confidence is clearly evident. In the first Test, it took a lead into the second innings for the first time ever against South Africa. However, its skills will be tested by an attack led by Dale Steyn, who is just one wicket shy of 400.
Bangladesh has unearthed a gem in Mustafizur Rahman, who took 4 for 34 in the first innings of his debut Test. With his probing length, not only did he take crucial middle-order wickets, but did so in quick succession. Jubair Hossain and Mohammad Shahid were impressive too, and will be the key to Bangladesh’s chances.
The inability of the Bangladesh batsmen to convert starts was the only flaw in an otherwise impressive performance and that’s one area it would look to improve on in the second Test.
Teams (from)Bangladesh: Mushfiqur Rahim (capt, wk), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Litton Das, Mominul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudullah, Soumya Sarkar, Nasir Hossain, Taijul Islam, Jubair Hossain, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Shahid, Mustafizur Rahman.
South Africa: Hashim Amla (capt), Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Quinton de Kock, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks, Stiaan van Zyl, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Simon Harmer, Temba Bavuma, Dane Vilas (wk).