Elgar, Markram centuries put SA firmly ahead against Tigers

Aiden Markram reached his maiden Test hundred after making a blazing start to the second session in Bloemfontein. The home side sped to 256 for 1 with Markram unbeaten on 135. Dean Elgar also reached his century, the tenth of his Test career, before falling a little while before the tea interval.

Hashim Amla then survived a close leg-before shout in the last over before the break but it was seen on review the Subashis Roy delivery had struck him slightly outside the off stump, reports ESPNcricinfo.

Markram has so far struck 21 boundaries in his 179-ball innings. He hit a string of boundaries at the start of the session, driving easily through mid-on and mid-off and then lacing the ball through point. By the sixth over in the session, he had gone past Elgar, although the latter reached his century first. It was Elgar's fifth hundred out of nine 50-plus scores this year.

There was a decent period of bowling from the visitors in the second session, mainly Mustafizur Rahman who troubled Elgar with short deliveries. First, wicketkeeper Liton Das dropped a tough chance over his head after Elgar lobbed one of his glove while attempting a pull when he was on 110.

The barrage continued with Elgar leaving most of the deliveries. But when Subashis Roy dropped short, Elgar's top-edged pull found a tumbling Mustafizur at fine-leg. Elgar made 113 off 152 balls with 17 fours.

The hosts would be pleased with the start, which mirrored the wicketless first session in Potchefstroom. They were 99 for 0 at lunch in the first Test, and went onto extend their dominance. The signs were ominous for the visitors, who conceded as many as 21 boundaries in the first session. Bangladesh's seamers could not find a breakthrough or even maintain a disciplined line and length after their captain Mushfiqur Rahim had opted to bowl.

Brief Score (at Tea)

South Africa 256 for 1 (Markram 135*, Elgar 113, Subhashis 1-59)