Bangladesh reduce South Africa to 165-3 at tea

Bangladesh put them in driving seat by reducing South Africa to 165-3 at tea on day one of the first Test at Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban on Thursday.

Temba Bavuma was batting on 22 with debutant Ryan Rickelton on 11 at the second interval of the day.

After South Africa reached 95-0 in the morning session, Bangladesh hit back in the match in the second session by taking three wickets including captain Dean Elgar who so far top-scored the side with 67. His opening partner Sarel Erwee made 41, BSS reports.

The duo shared 113-run for the opening stand before fast bowler Khaled Ahmed undid Elagar with a delivery that carried extra bounce. Elgar clobbered 11 fours for his 67 off 101.

Off spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz then struck in the next over, taking out Erwee. The session brought more joy for Bangladesh when Miraz trapped Keegan Petersen to run out for 19 with a direct hit from point.

Bavuma and Rickelton then kept them unscathed but Bangladesh was able to keep pressure on.

Earlier the match began after a 35-minute delay due to the sightscreen issue. South Africa, whose seven first-choice players opted out of the Test series in a bid to play IPL, handed debut two players and fielded a number of
inexperienced players.

Bangladesh came to play the Test high on confidence after clinching their first-ever ODI series victory on South African soil by 2-1.