The Proteas were absolutely dominating Bangladesh at the close of play on day two of the second test in Chattogram on Wednesday. The hosts are in huge strife on 38/4 in their first innings in response to the visitors' massive 575/6 declared at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.
The Proteas made a bit of history as they became just the second team to ever have three maiden test centuries in an innings, after Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder all brought up their landmark scores over the first two days.
De Zorzi was out during the days second session for 177 off 269 balls (12x4; 4x6), Stubbs was out on day one for 106 off 198 (6x4; 3x6) and Mulder ended unbeaten on 105 off 150 (8x4; 4x6).
The only other time three players have scored their maiden test centuries in an innings was back in 1948 when Gerry Gomez, Robert Christiani and Clyde Walcott did it for the West Indies against India in Dehi.
At the start of the days final session the Proteas resumed their innings on 527/6 and Mulder and Senuran Muthusamy, who scored his maiden test half century to finish unbeaten on 68 off 75 (5x4; 2x6), looked in the mood for quick runs.
Muthusamy brought up his fifty first, followed by Mulder powering his way to his hundred, reaching the mark in style as he launched Taijul Islam back over his head for six, with captain Aiden Markram immediately declaring with just over an hour left in the days play.
Islam was by far the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers with 5/198 in his marathon 52.2 overs.
Bangladesh then had a disastrous start to their innings, with Proteas pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada having opener Shadman Islam caught down the leg side for a duck, after a good review having initially not being given out, at the end of the first over.
Wiaan Mulder scores his maiden Test century as the @ProteasMenCSA declare on 577-6 🏏🇿🇦
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 30, 2024
📺 Stream #BANvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/aFucDYLmNV
Rabada struck again in the fifth, as Zakir Hasan edged to keeper Kyle Verreynne, and in the next Dan Paterson had Mahmadul Hasan Joy (10) edging to Markram at first slip, leaving them in massive trouble on 29/3.
Keshav Maharaj still had time to bowl night watchman Hasan Mahmud (3), before the umpires called play for bad light with the Proteas massively on top.
In the post lunch session the Proteas breached the 500-run mark in a test for the first time since 202, when they did it against Sri Lanka at Centurion enroute to an innings win.
They restarted after lunch on 413/5, but Bangladesh continued to make inroads as in the fourth over after the break, having added just one run to his score, Ryan Rickelton (12) edged Nahid Rana to keeper Mahidul Islam to leave them on 423/6.
What an innings Tony de Zorzi..🔥
— Esha (@Eshwar2776) October 30, 2024
Great knock..🫡🥰#BANvSA pic.twitter.com/LXN5TWkqND
That was the fourth wicket to fall for the Proteas for just 37 runs before and after the lunch break, but proved to be the hosts only success of the second session, as Mulder took charge and Muthusamy backed him up on their way to an unbeaten 152-run seventh wicket stand.
In the morning session the Proteas picked up where they left off on day one before a fight back from Bangladesh.
First day hero De Zorzi was finally dismissed, and along with David Bedingham, 59 off 78 (2x4; 4x6), they shared in a 116-run third wicket partnership after resuming the Proteas innings on 307/2 at the start of play.
Both batters seemed untroubled, with Bedingham taking on the role of aggressor as they took their side past the 350-run mark and towards 400.
But Bangladesh spinner Islam made sure that it wouldn’t all go the way of the visitors as he picked up three quick wickets to slow the Proteas progress at the break.
Three maiden Test centuries in one innings for the @ProteasMenCSA 💯🙌#BANvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/wTOesoTkUd
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) October 30, 2024
After Bedingham had slammed him for a six over long off, Islam sent in a quicker delivery that beat the batters swing and flattened his leg stump, with the score 386/3.
He then trapped De Zorzi and first test centurion Kyle Verreynne for a duck, both LBW, with all three wickets having been taken over a superb 14-ball run, as the Proteas slipped to 391/5.
That brought Rickelton and Mulder to the crease and they made sure there would be no further trouble taking the Proteas over 400 and safely to lunch.
BANGLADESH: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Zakir Hasan, Mahidul Islam (wk), Nahid Rana, Taijul Islam, Hasan Mahmud
SOUTH AFRICA: Aiden Markram (capt), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson