South Africa VS Bangladesh Test Series
1st Test Played at Durban (31 March-4 April 2022)
Brief Score Card at Stumps Day Three
South Africa 1st Innings 367 All Out (Temba Bavuma 93, Dean Elgar 67, Simon Harmer 38* , Khaled Ahmed 4/92, Mehedy Hasan Miraj 4/94 , Ebadat Hossain (2/86 ) and 2nd Innings 6/0
Bangladesh 1st Innings 298 All Out (Mahmudul Hasan Joy 137, Litton K Das 41 Nazmul Hossain Shanto 38, Mehedy Hasan Miraj 29, Yasir Ali 22, Simon Harmer 4/103, Lizaad Williams 3/54)
South Africa leads by 75 Runs with 10 wickets at hand
Home team South Africa would start day four with its nose in front. They could restrict Bangladesh to 298 responding to their first innings total of 367 all out.
The wicket has developed few cracks, turning and also assisting the pace bowlers. Not sure whether Rain would let the test playing over full quota. It would not matter little whatever be the outcome. Rookie Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s 137 runs marathon innings of 326 balls would remain a feature of the test. After his another epic innings of 78 in over 300 balls against rampaging New Zealand attack in New Zealand this innings earned him the achievement of the first Asian opening batsman surviving the attacks of home team so long in difficult conditions over the longest. In the process he also became the highest scorer and only century maker for his country against South Africa. It was only the third test for one of star of Bangladesh Under 19 World Cup winning team from the protean land.
Bangladesh started day three at 98/4. Night watchman Taskin was there with solid looking Joy at 44. Debutant Williams removed Taskin early. He could have strike deadly body blow to Bangladesh if his captain Dean Elger did not drop a regulation catch of Litton in the slip. Joy on the other end was a picture of confidence, comfort and class. On previous day he showed extreme patience while his senior partners Mominul, Mushfique, Shanto all perished to off spinner Harmer. Yesterday he did not let Harmer settle. With Litton playing his usual self the partnership looked to take Bangladesh to safer zone before Willams cleaned up Litton. The 6th wicket partnership added 82 runs. From there on Joy was involved in two little partnerships with Yasir 22 and Miraj 29. But on a wicket turning and South Africans eager for the hunt it was extremely difficult to survive. Yet young Joy played a superb gritty innings of 137 in 326 balls striking 15 fours and a six. He was the last man out. Bangladesh could go as far as 298 conceding a very decisive 69 runs lead. When bad light stopped play home team could reach 6 for no loss.
Weather forecast predicts rain. If play is at all possible Bangladesh would have to struggle to save the match on a wearing wicket. However, Bangladesh attack bowling to its potential can still make a match of it. Loosing 4 wickets too cheaply on day two would become the influencing factor.
Anyway, must congratulate Mahmudul Hasan Joy for an outstanding innings. Bangladesh finally appears to have found a batsman for a long haul at the opening spot in red-ball cricket. He is brave, confident and off course has skills.
BDST: 1212 HRS, APR 03, 2022
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