• Proteas take opening day despite late wickets

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    The Proteas ended day one of the second Test against Bangladesh at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on 278-5.

    Dean Elgar (70), Keegan Petersen (64) and Temba Bavuma (67) made half-centuries, while Bangladesh left-arm spinner Taijul Islam took 3-77 in 32 overs.

    Following controversy over umpiring during South Africa’s 220-run win in the first Test in Durban, two of Taijul’s wickets came after successful reviews.

    Petersen was initially given not out by umpire Allahudien Paleker when he was struck on the pads after taking two strides out of his batting crease.

    Bangladesh reviewed the decision, the ball was shown to be on target and TV umpire Adrian Holdstock decided Petersen had not advanced the 2m necessary to get the benefit of the on-field umpire’s call.

    The second successful review came when Ryan Rickelton (42) attempted a reverse sweep and the ball lobbed to Yasir Ali at slip. Umpire Marais Erasmus turned down the appeal for a catch but replays showed the ball deflected off the glove covering his wrist.

    Bangladesh could have had a wicket in the third over of the day when an appeal for lbw by Khaled Ahmed against Sarel Erwee was turned down but not reviewed, although replays showed the ball would have hit the top of leg stump.

    Erwee was eventually caught behind off Khaled for 24 after an opening partnership of 52 with Elgar. Khaled took a second wicket when he had Bavuma caught low down at first slip by Najmul Hossain in the third over with the second new ball.

    It was Bavuma’s 19th Test half-century and he was again unable to add to his lone century made in 2016.

    Proteas captain Elgar made his third successive half-century, striking the ball crisply in an 89-ball innings which included 10 fours.

    He said after winning the toss that he wanted his batsmen to score centuries and looked on course to lead by example until he was undone by some good bowling by Taijul. He edged a ball to wicketkeeper Liton Das that hurried through straight after the previous delivery had turned sharply towards the left-hander.

    Taijul, who did not play in the first Test, played in place of injured fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and provided the control that eluded Bangladesh’s other three bowlers in the early part of the day.

    South Africa were scoring at four runs an over before a 27-minute rain interruption in mid-afternoon. But they could only add another 43 runs for one wicket in 19 overs after the break and another 79 runs for two wickets in 32 overs after tea.

    © Agence France-Presse

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    Simon Borchardt