South Africa strengthened their position at tea on day 3 of the second Test day, in Gqeberha extending their lead to 345 runs with seven wickets in hand. Opting not to enforce the follow-on after skittling Bangladesh for 217, South Africa reached 84 for 2 at the interval, with Sarel Erwee going strong on 40 not out.
Taijul Islam, the pick of the bowlers for Bangladesh in the first innings, was at it again as he first removed Dean Elgar for 26 and then had Keegan Petersen lbw for 14 at the stroke of tea. However, the South African batters were positive in their approach having batted out 19.4 overs in their second innings so far, reports espncricinfo.com.
The hosts had earlier decided not to enforce the follow-on despite a 236-run lead as Bangladesh lost their way after a promising start to the day. The visitors lost their last five wickets for 25 runs, after being 192 for 5 at one stage before lunch.
Wiaan Mulder and Simon Harmer took three wickets each while Duanne Olivier and Keshav Maharaj picked up two in another disciplined and effective bowling display by the home side.
South Africa saw off two promising partnerships in the Bangladesh innings at the right moments. Tamim Iqbal and Najmul Hossain Shanto added 79 runs for the second wicket when Mulder knocked over three left-handers in the Bangladesh top-order with similar incoming deliveries from around the wicket. Litton Das too fell to an in-dipper from Olivier on the second evening.
The visitors recovered from the initial collapse with a 70-run stand between Mushfiqur Rahim and Yasir Ali on the third morning. Yasir started the day with three consecutive fours off Lizaad Williams, and the pair struck fours quite regularly for the first nine overs.
But as soon as South Africa dried up the boundaries, both batters looked short of options. Yasir tipped a catch back to Maharaj, one ball after South Africa had spent their last review. Mushfiqur fell five minutes before lunch when he missed a reverse sweep against Harmer, who was operating from around the wicket. The ball snuck below the hurriedly played shot, clean bowling him.
Bangladesh slipped to 217 all out after Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Ebadot Hossain all holed out to high catches.
When South Africa came back to bat, Mehidy got hit on the midriff when he couldn't see a fierce cut shot from Erwee. A black mark emerged on his stomach, as he was stretchered off with concerned looks on everyone's faces. Thankfully, the injury wasn't too serious and Mehidy returned to bowl seven overs.
