Proteas set for massive total as they pass 500 against Bangladesh at tea

The Proteas are set for a massive first innings score after they cruised past the 500-run mark for the first time since 2020 as they reached the tea break on 527/6 on day two of the second test against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Wednesday.

The last time the Proteas breached the 500-run mark in a test was in 2020 against Sri Lanka at Centurion enroute to an innings win, and they will hope for a similar result in this test.

The Proteas resumed their innings 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.

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.

Wiaan Mulder took charge by powering his way to his second consecutive half century, hitting six fours and three sixes on his way to an unbeaten 78, while Senuran Muthusamy looked in good nick striking two fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 47 off 54 balls.

They will be looking for quick runs in the final session of the day and to build on their 104-run seventh wicket stand, as Proteas captain Aiden Markram will likely be eyeing a declaration before the close of play.

In the morning session the Proteas picked up where they left off on day one before a late fight back from Bangladesh.

First day hero Tony de Zorzi was finally dismissed for an impressive 177 off 269 balls (12x4; 4x6), 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 Taijul 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.

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