South Africa v Bangladesh 2017, 2nd Test – 5 Talking Points

After a clinical performance from the South Africa in the First Test match, Bangladesh looked to salvage some pride in the second Test of the series at Bloemfontein. Sadly, it was not the case as the match turned out to be a one-sided affair with the home side dominating throughout the two and half days of cricket played.

After imposing a daunting total of 573 by losing just 4 wickets, Bangladesh crumbled under pressure twice within a day, even after being asked to follow-on. In the end, the Proteas won the match by a margin of an innings and 254 runs, clinching the series 2-0. Kagiso Rabada was awarded the man of the match trophy while Dean Elgar was adjudged as the man of the series. Let us look at the five talking point of the match.

1. Dean Elgar’s and Hashim Amla’s back to back tons

The two prolific run scorers for South Africa, Amla and Elgar, made sure they made the most of the weak bowling line up in front of them as they hit consecutive centuries in two test of the series. Following the 199 Elgar made at Potchefstroom, he brought up yet another ton at Bloemfontein as he smashed 113 in just 152 balls at a strike rate of 74.

He now has 10 three-figure scores in Test cricket. Hashim Amla surpassed Graeme Smith’s tally by smashing his 28th Test ton with the help of his 132 off just 163 balls at a ridiculous strike rate of 80 throughout. Both the batsman scored 17 boundaries in their innings. The mighty ‘Hash’ is now only behind Kallis in terms of Test tons scored for South Africa.

2. Markram’s maiden ton

After doing all the hard work in the first innings of the Potchefstroom Test, both Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram would have been kicking themselves to miss out on their respective feats. Markram fell heartbreakingly close by just three for his maiden Test ton on his debut.

However, he came back strong in the second Test match with his knock of 143 off just 186 at a strike rate of 76. He stroked as many as 22 balls to the boundary in his innings to bring up his maiden Test ton. He set up a mammoth partnership of 243 runs with Elgar up front at a run rate of almost 5 runs per over.

3. Faf du Plessis’ leading the way

The South African captain finished the good work done by the top 3 and took his team to a position which took the game away from the Bangladeshis in the first two days itself. He put on 135 runs in front of his name and at a brisk strike rate of 75 to put the foot down to the throat of the Tigers.

The visitors themselves had four centurions but only amongst the bowlers. All the bowlers went for an economy of above 4. Faf du Plessis was also aggressive with his field placings and bowling changes which ensured that there was no breathing space for Bangladesh.

4. Bangladesh collapse twice in a day

After the dismal performance with the ball, Bangladesh also struggled with the bat as they collapsed twice without even completing 90 overs. In the first innings, barring from the innings from Liton Das, who scored a difficult 70 under pressure, none of the batsmen managed to provide resistance.

As a result, they were asked to follow on after being bowled out for a modest 147 in reply to South Africa’s mammoth 573-4. Bangladesh fans hoped for a better performance in the second innings, but it was a similar story to the one in the second innings. Interestingly, they survived the same number of overs in both the innings.

5. Rabada’s 10 wicket haul in the match

Kagiso Rabada was the star of the show with the ball as he picked up a couple of five-wicket hauls during the Test match to complete his third 10-wicket haul in the match. He also reached the tally of 100 Test wickets to become the youngest player to achieve the feat for South Africa.

He was ably supported by Duanne Olivier and Andile Phehlukwayo who picked three wickets each in the first and the second innings respectively.