Tigers in tatters
Friday, 21 November 2008
Bangladesh staged an impressive fightback with the ball on the second day in Bloemfontein, but familiar frailties were exposed with the bat as they lost three quick wickets. Shakib-Al-Hasan's five wickets restricted South Africa to 441, before Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel claimed early blows and Paul Harris, operating with a broken thumb, struck with the last ball before tea to leave Bangladesh tottering on 33 for 3.
Taken in isolation, Bangladesh's efforts of removing eight wickets for 114 runs was outstanding, but it also goes to highlight that they failed to make the most of their opportunity yesterday. There was plenty on offer for seam and spin and if Mahbubul Alam, a young honest seamer, could find useful swing with the new ball, then there was little doubt that Steyn would too. It didn't take long for Steyn to make an impression as he removed Tamim Iqbal's off stump before the batsmen knew what was happening.
Morkel, unconvincing in the one-day series as he struggled with wides, started with a series of leg-side deliveries but, with the final ball of his opening over, got Junaid Siddique into a tangle with a shorter ball and the leading edge lobbed to gully. South Africa's innings ended at nine down due to Harris having sustained a broken thumb during practice Wednesday and, because the teams had already been named, South Africa couldn't replace him. He came into the attack shortly before tea and didn't seem overly inconvenienced, finding enough purchase to have debutant Imrul Kayes caught at short leg as he lunged forward.
Harris' wicket ensured it was a good day for left-arm spinners after Shakib continued his productive few weeks in Test cricket. Last month he collected Bangladesh's best innings haul of 7 for 36 against New Zealand and here he wasn't afraid to give the ball air and found turn off the undisturbed areas of the pitch. His variation, too, was a major asset with the ball to remove AB de Villiers spinning sharply, while after lunch he bowled Mark Boucher with one that went straight on.
Bangladesh's improved performance brought an edge to a contest that could have turned into tedium if South Africa had ploughed their way to monstrous total. That prospect was very much on the cards when Graeme Smith, fond of feasting on Bangladesh attacks, and Hashim Amla resumed their commanding second-wicket stand.
Smith passed 150 for the third time against Bangladesh, but was tested by the impressive Alam and should have been removed on 151 when a hard edge flew to Siddique at a wide first slip. However, Bangladesh's fortunes changed in the following over when Amla got an inside-edge into his stumps against Mortaza to end a second-wicket stand of 225.
Moments later Alam finally earned reward for his hard work with a superb delivery that swung back into Smith and took the off stump as the South Africa captain tried to play through the on-side. Smith has picked off many runs in that area in his time, but on this occasion - even with 157 to his name - the delivery was too good.
Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince are rarely dashers, but although their caution may have been slightly overstated given such a solid foundation they were offered very little to hit by a disciplined attack. Kallis occasionally broke the shackles, however an eagerness to press on brought his downfall when he lofted Shakib to mid-on as he tried to clear the infield. -- Cricinfo
Bangladesh 1st innings 153 (All out), 2nd innings 20/1 at 10pm.
Taken in isolation, Bangladesh's efforts of removing eight wickets for 114 runs was outstanding, but it also goes to highlight that they failed to make the most of their opportunity yesterday. There was plenty on offer for seam and spin and if Mahbubul Alam, a young honest seamer, could find useful swing with the new ball, then there was little doubt that Steyn would too. It didn't take long for Steyn to make an impression as he removed Tamim Iqbal's off stump before the batsmen knew what was happening.
Morkel, unconvincing in the one-day series as he struggled with wides, started with a series of leg-side deliveries but, with the final ball of his opening over, got Junaid Siddique into a tangle with a shorter ball and the leading edge lobbed to gully. South Africa's innings ended at nine down due to Harris having sustained a broken thumb during practice Wednesday and, because the teams had already been named, South Africa couldn't replace him. He came into the attack shortly before tea and didn't seem overly inconvenienced, finding enough purchase to have debutant Imrul Kayes caught at short leg as he lunged forward.
Harris' wicket ensured it was a good day for left-arm spinners after Shakib continued his productive few weeks in Test cricket. Last month he collected Bangladesh's best innings haul of 7 for 36 against New Zealand and here he wasn't afraid to give the ball air and found turn off the undisturbed areas of the pitch. His variation, too, was a major asset with the ball to remove AB de Villiers spinning sharply, while after lunch he bowled Mark Boucher with one that went straight on.
Bangladesh's improved performance brought an edge to a contest that could have turned into tedium if South Africa had ploughed their way to monstrous total. That prospect was very much on the cards when Graeme Smith, fond of feasting on Bangladesh attacks, and Hashim Amla resumed their commanding second-wicket stand.
Smith passed 150 for the third time against Bangladesh, but was tested by the impressive Alam and should have been removed on 151 when a hard edge flew to Siddique at a wide first slip. However, Bangladesh's fortunes changed in the following over when Amla got an inside-edge into his stumps against Mortaza to end a second-wicket stand of 225.
Moments later Alam finally earned reward for his hard work with a superb delivery that swung back into Smith and took the off stump as the South Africa captain tried to play through the on-side. Smith has picked off many runs in that area in his time, but on this occasion - even with 157 to his name - the delivery was too good.
Jacques Kallis and Ashwell Prince are rarely dashers, but although their caution may have been slightly overstated given such a solid foundation they were offered very little to hit by a disciplined attack. Kallis occasionally broke the shackles, however an eagerness to press on brought his downfall when he lofted Shakib to mid-on as he tried to clear the infield. -- Cricinfo
Bangladesh 1st innings 153 (All out), 2nd innings 20/1 at 10pm.