POTCHEFSTROOM: South Africa ripped through Bangladesh to win the first Test by 333 runs yesterday, taking seven wickets for 41 runs at the start of Day 5 as the tourists were all out for 90. Spinner Keshav Maharaj and quick bowler Kagiso Rabada took three wickets each on the final morning, and South Africa didn't miss injured pace bowler Morne Morkel.
Bangladesh, facing an imposing target of 424 to win the game, was bowled out for its joint fifth lowest score in tests and its lowest in the fourth innings. South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the two-test series and continues its record of having never lost a test against Bangladesh. The Proteas also delivered a strong victory to start the tenure of coach Ottis Gibson.
No. 2-ranked South Africa was dominant in the game at Senwes Park from the beginning, when Bangladesh won the toss and surprisingly asked South Africa to bat first on a good pitch.
South Africa took advantage, racked up 496-3 in its first innings with 199 from Dean Elgar and 137 from Hashim Amla, and was always in control after that. The end came quickly on the fifth morning after Bangladesh went to stumps on Day 4 on 49-3, with two wickets in the first over of their second innings from Morkel. Without Morkel, who sustained a side strain at the end of the fourth day, Rabada bowled with pace and menace to take South Africa charging to victory and finish with 3-33. Maharaj collected 4-25 and wrapped up the tail.
Captain Mushfiqur Rahim went caught at slip by Amla off Rabada two overs into the day and without adding to his overnight score of 16 to start the collapse. Bangladesh also had a needless run out when Shafiul Islam was caught short by Rabada trying to take a third run. The second Test in Bloemfontein starts on Friday. - AP