SA vs Ban: Dean Elgar hits fifty as South Africa start well in first Test

DURBAN: On the first day of the first Test against Bangladesh on Thursday, South African skipper Dean Elgar struck a quick half-century to help South Africa to get off a good start.

At Kingsmead, South Africa were 95 for no wicket at lunch. Elgar was undefeated on 60, while Sarel Erwee, a fellow left-hander, was 32 not out.

Mominul Haque, Bangladesh’s captain, won the toss and chose to bowl first, but his bowlers were unable to take advantage of a grassy surface.

In the opening hour, South Africa raced to 60 without loss in 13 overs, with Elgar scoring freely on both sides of the wicket thanks to some sloppy bowling.

After the mid-morning drinks break, Taskin Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed bowled with improved control, making scoring more difficult. Elgar got his half-century with nine fours in 60 balls.

Three balls before lunch, Erwee was dropped on 32 by wicketkeeper Litton Das, who sliced at off-spinner Mehidy Hasan.

Due to sightscreen problems on both ends, the launch was delayed by 35 minutes, with ground crews attempting to cover both screens with white material.

The umpires opted to move the start times back by a half-hour.

This is the first of two Test matches.

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