Tigers complete poor show

When asked about his plans to prepare for the upcoming series against India and Australia, South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada said at the end of the second day that he is thinking about completing 'this little mini-step' t get to the next step. The mini-step was getting the 10 Bangladesh wickets to win the second Test and the series 2-0 on the third day of the second Test at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein yesterday.

And it proved to be no more than a mini-step as Bangladesh, forced to follow on after being 147 all out in the first innings in response to South Africa's 573 for four, were 172 all out in their second innings yesterday to lose the match by an innings and 254 runs. Rabada had matching five-wicket hauls in each innings, which brought up the 23-year-old's third 10-wicket match haul. When the fast bowler had Mahmudullah Riyad caught brilliantly by Dean Elgar at gully for 43, he also brought up his hundredth Test wicket in just his 22nd match. 

That was pretty much the only success story yesterday. Bangladesh's success stories in this Test series was to rack up their highest totals in Potchefstroom with 320 in the first innings and, believe it or not, with 172 yesterday in Bloemfontein. That is about it. More than any success it hints at how terrible Bangladesh have been over the years when playing in South Africa. Potchefstroom was the only time in six Tests that they have avoided an innings defeat, and their defeat yesterday, for all the talk of progress, was their worst against South Africa in 12 Tests.

“Everyone gives their 100 per cent but not all can be successful. I think we all tried,” said Mushfiqur after the match. “It is not a club game; we are playing for the country. We don't want to lose the respect that we gained over the last four years. We didn't get it after doing well in one series. We don't have a lot of experience playing in these conditions although this pitch didn't have a lot of pace and movement.”

By the time the third morning began there was no fight left in the Tigers. Beset by problems within the dressing room, problems in technique and temperament, and probably wishing this Test to be over, it is a wonder that they were not out for their second sub-100 total of the series after being out for 90 in the 333-run loss in Potchefstroom.

The South Africans would not relent however. There was a bouncer barrage throughout the three hours and thirty minutes of play before the visitors played the last of their 42.4 overs of limp survival.

It started, as it often does with, Soumya Sarkar. After Bangladesh resumed on seven without loss, Soumya departed, caught in the slips off Duane Olivier for three. Mominul Haque hooked Rabada straight to deep square leg. Mushfiqur Rahim and Imrul Kayes took the score from 29 to 63 before the opener was caught down the leg side off Olivier for 32. Before that, Mushfiqur was dealt a sickening blow to the side of the head in the 14th over from Olivier, and had to receive treatment on the field but against advice from the South Africa team's doctor, decided to bat on.

After his dismissal, shouldering arms and being trapped in front by Wayne Parnell for 26, that brought about the lunch break, he was taken to the hospital and was pronounced to be okay. From four for 92, Mahmudullah and Liton Das took the score to 135 when Liton was bowled by Andile Phehlukwayo, also shouldering arms. Mahmudullah's dismissal four runs later was the death knell for Bangladesh. Phelukwayo and Rabada mopped up the tail for the addition of a further 23 runs.