Twitter Reactions: South Africa in driver's seat in closing Test as day three sees curtains

South Africa not only continue to dominate the proceedings but are also in the driver’s seat to win the second and final Test match against Bangladesh at the St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. After they posted a stiff total on the first day and then dismissed half of the visitors’ side on the second, they have gone on to showcase a complete performance on the third day.

The third day of the ongoing Test match saw the Proteas bowlers skittling out Bangladesh cheaply and then the South African batters ensured to post enough runs on the board to be in a commanding position to take an unassailable 2-0 lead with two more days to go. What makes things easier for them is that the visitors have lost three early wickets chasing a mammoth target.

Bangladesh lose momentum on the third day

Resuming their innings at the overnight score of  139/5, the Bangladesh batters could only manage to add 78 more runs before losing their remaining five wickets. Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahim and his batting partner Yasir Ali offered some resistance early on. While Rahim scored 51 runs from 136 deliveries, Ali contributed with 46 runs off 87 balls. Unfortunately for Bangladesh, once the duo was dismissed, the rest of the batting line-up folded like a pack of cards as the visitors were bundled out for just 217. Simon Harmer and Wiaan Mulder were the picks of the bowlers for the hosts with three wickets apiece.

With a huge first-innings lead of 236 runs, the hosts looked to score at a brisk rate and set an impossible target for Bangladesh. Skipper Dean Elgar and Sarel Erwee added 60 runs for the opening stand before quick wickets derailed their momentum. A counter-attacking unbeaten knock of 39 runs off 30 deliveries by wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne helped South Africa post 176/6 before they declared their innings thereby, setting the visitors a target of 413.

Bangladesh in their second innings have lost their top-order cheaply, having been reduced to 27/3. Veteran batter Tamim Iqbal was dismissed on the final ball of the day’s play. The Mominul Haque-led side still need 386 runs to win.

Here’s how Twitter reacted after South Africa dominated on yet another day

3 down, danger man Tamim Iqbal out to Harmer.

Effectively the last ball of play.

27/3.#CricketTwitter #SAvsBAN#ProteaFire#Bangladesh

— Krypton King (@KryptonKing3) April 10, 2022

STUMPS:
Bangladesh 2nd inns. 27/3 chasing 413 vs South Africa.
Tamim Iqbal 13(22),
Najmul Hossain 7(10),
Keshav 2/17,
Harmer 1/8:
2nd Test, Day 3 🏏@OfficialCSA @BCBtigers #SAvBAN #SAvsBAN #BANvSA #momentumproteas #Proteas #BetwayTestSeries @Betway_za #testcricket #Cricket

— Mayur Baruah (@BaruahMayur) April 10, 2022

Bowling performances in #SAvsBAN Test series

Keshav Maharaj
Inns – 4
Wkts – 11
Avg – 15.55

Simon Harmer
Inns – 4
Wkts – 11
Avg – 15.55

Spin twins they said. Well said 👍 #WTC23

— Cow Corner (@CowCorner183) April 10, 2022

This young Proteas team is looking great. Even with several key players missing, they're dominating Bangladesh #SAvsBAN

— Craig J Thrupp (@theCelticPhenom) April 10, 2022

Bangladeshi batsmen and getting out while playing defensive shots😣. You've had 3 innings so far to understand how Harmer and Maharaj will attack you, but you stick to being overly defensive🤷🏾‍♂️ #SAvsBAN

— Tenny (@Magura_Ngara) April 10, 2022

Day 3 Stumps

Day 3

2nd Betway Test Proteas need 7 more wickets to win the 2nd Test against Bangladesh finished on 27/3in pursuit of 413 that was set by South Africa #SAvsBAN pic.twitter.com/PKWTlsWPBb

— Zukiswa Tshaka (@ZukiswaTshaka1) April 10, 2022

Any chances of South Africa 🇿🇦 going into #WTC23 Final. The test cricket they are playing at home is just too good. The character shown by #DeanElgar & his mens is remarkable.#SAvBAN | #SAvsBAN | #WTC23

— Saurabh Garewal 🇮🇳 (@garewal_saurabh) April 10, 2022

Too soon .. Ricky bt there are some demons in this pitch .. lets hope our spinners will do a job for us

— RCB..Fan (@xcvtor_14) April 10, 2022

South Africa are firmly in the box seat at stumps on day three 🙌#SAvBAN | #WTC23 | https://t.co/I6yzFv3Y8M pic.twitter.com/bfBQSdYSMQ

— ICC (@ICC) April 10, 2022

🚫 DAY 3 | STUMPS

Day 3 of the 2nd #BetwayTest comes to an end with the #Proteas requiring a further 7 wickets for victory as Bangladesh end the day on 27/3, in pursuit of 413#SAvBAN #BePartOfIt | @Betway_za pic.twitter.com/3puoaj6oLC

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) April 10, 2022