Dean Elgar, Keegan Petersen and Temba Bavuma hit half-centuries as South Africa reached stumps on 278-5 on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh.
The Proteas are chasing victory at St George's Park in Port Elizabeth to seal a 2-0 series victory after they claimed a resounding win in the first match, Keshav Maharaj claiming 7-32 to skittle the touring Tigers for 53.
Captain Elgar's 70 helped to build the platform on Friday, as Petersen's 64 and Bavuma's 67 provided further impetus, with Taijul Islam (3-77) the pick of the Bangladesh bowlers.
The hosts opted to bat after winning the toss and started in positive fashion, with openers Sarel Erwee and Elgar sharing 52 inside 12 overs before the former was caught behind off Khaled Ahmed (2-59) for 24.
Elgar continued in imperious form to reach his third consecutive half-century as the Proteas skipper mounted an 81-run partnership with Petersen, before edging left-arm spinner Taijul behind.
Petersen cruised to a third fifty in as many Tests, but he was soon dismissed lbw on review by Taijul.
South Africa's dominance wilted in the final session with Bavuma and Ryan Rickelton (42) falling in quick succession to slip catches off Khaled and Taijul respectively.
The unbeaten Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder defied the Bangladesh attack before the close, and the home side will look to capitalise to build a healthy advantage on Saturday.
Bavuma's century wait continues but Proteas dominate
South Africa have won four of their past five Tests, including each of their last two. Elgar and Petersen have been keen drivers of that recent Proteas success and again contributed here.
But Bavuma, with batting conditions easing later in the day, will have been frustrated to miss out on a second Test century, with his lone ton coming all the way back in January 2016 against England.
Ebadot toils as Taijul excels
Ebadot Hossain typified Bangladesh's bowling problems as he went wicketless, conceding 75 from his 16 overs at a hefty economy of 4.68. Taijul, by contrast, went for just 2.4 an over for his three-wicket haul.
The Tigers will need Ebadot and Co to support Taijul if they are to claw their way back and beat the Proteas for the first time in 14 attempts in the longest format.
“We have the manpower within the dressing room”- Sammy confident Windies can overcome 0-2 deficit against England
West Indies white ball head coach Daren Sammy says there’s still optimism in his camp that they can overcome the 0-2 deficit they currently face in their five-game T20I series against England.
The hosts lost the first two game of the series at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday and Sunday, with the rest of the series now shifting to the Daren Sammy Stadium in St. Lucia beginning with the third T20I on Thursday.
“Most definitely, especially here in St. Lucia,” Sammy said in a pre-match interview on Tuesday regarding his team’s optimism ahead of Thursday’s must-win game and the rest of the series.
“Yes, England have played better cricket than us in these first two games but I’ve rallied St. Lucia to come out and be the 12th man that we need here. We just haven’t played the brand of cricket that has allowed us to win and it’s something that we’re going to address but we have the manpower within that dressing room to win on Thursday and take it one game at a time,” he added.
The West Indies will be without two key players for the rest of the series in Andre Russell and Shamar Joseph.
Russell suffered an ankle injury in the first T20I on Saturday and has been ruled out for the rest of the series while Joseph has left the squad to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh starting on November 22 in Antigua.
Replacing the pair are all-rounder Shamar Springer and spearhead Alzarri Joseph, returning to the squad after serving a two-game suspension.
“It’s always a blow to replace somebody like Andre Russell. We have young Shamar Springer who made his debut in Sri Lanka to replace him. He’s a really exciting prospect,” Sammy said.
“Shamar will go in and get ready for the Test series and Alzarri is back from his suspension. We’re looking forward to welcoming him and the experience he brings to the squad. Yes, we lose two key guys but we get two guys who are capable of doing the job for the team as well,” he added.
Springboks aiming to have 'two best teams in the world', says Esterhuizen
South Africa centre Andre Esterhuizen said that the Springboks are aiming to have "the two best teams in the world" ahead of their Autumn Nations Series clash against England.
The world champions were pushed all the way by Scotland in their narrow victory at Murrayfield on Sunday, though head coach Rassie Erasmus opted to rotate some key starting positions.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit started on the bench, with the changes a common theme during Erasmus' seven-year tenure.
Their opening Autumn Nations Series victory also put them back on top of the world rankings after Ireland's first defeat in 19 home games by New Zealand on Friday.
"One of the good things is that everyone is getting game time now," Esterhuizen told the BBC's Rugby Union Weekly podcast.
"It is also about looking forward, you've got to be able to spare all the guys for the next World Cup and build experience into it.
"The aim is to have the two best teams in the world, all in one squad.
"We want to make it second nature for people slotting in, so if someone steps in, they can just slot in and play the same if not better than the other player."
South Africa next face England, who are yet to pick up a win this autumn, at Twickenham on Saturday.
Steve Borthwick's side suffered a narrow two-point defeat by New Zealand, before conceding an injury-time winning try to Australia on Saturday.
England have now lost each of their last four Test matches, their longest such run since losing five straight games in 2018, but Esterhuizen's former Harlequins team-mate Marcus Smith has been impressive for the Red Roses.
"It's a great space, I obviously love to play there," Esterhuizen added. "It will be great to be running at Marcus, not run off him.
"It's going to be a great match, England have played well in the last few games, it's unfortunate that it hasn't been the results that they want. I think it's going to be a big one."
The Springboks have won three of their last four matches against England (L1), including each of their last two. Three of the last five games between England and South Africa have been decided by single-point margins.
Springer replaces injured Russell in Windies squad for final leg of England T20Is in Saint Lucia; returning Alzarri Joseph replaces Shamar Joseph
All-rounder Shamar Springer and pacer Alzarri Joseph have been drafted into the West Indies T20I squad ahead of the crucial St. Lucia leg of their “Rivalry” series against England, CWI announced on Tuesday.
Springer replaces Andre Russell who has been ruled out due to a left ankle sprain sustained during the opening T20I at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday.
The 26-year-old Bajan recently made his international debut during the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka in October.
The other change sees Alzarri Joseph, having completed his two-match suspension, rejoin the squad in Saint Lucia, replacing Shamar Joseph.
The West Indies currently trail the five-match series 0-2.
The squad for the final three games is as follows:
Remaining Schedule of West Indies vs England T20I Series:
3rd T20 International: 14 November 2024- Daren Sammy Stadium, Saint Lucia
4th T20 International: 16 November 2024- Daren Sammy Stadium, Saint Lucia
5th T20 International: 17 November 2024- Daren Sammy Stadium, Saint Lucia
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