De Zorzi, Stubbs hit maiden tons as SA take early control

Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs registered their maiden Test tons as South Africa grabbed the opening day honours against Bangladesh in the second Test match in Chattogram. de Zorzi batted throughout the day, finishing on an unbeaten 141 whereas Stubbs hit 106 as the two centurions put on 201 for the second wicket to frustrate the home side.

Both teams made multiple changes heading into the game as stand-in skipper Aiden Markram had no hesitation in opting to bat first after winning the toss. While Markram got going with a neat cover drive, De Zorzi hammered a six after getting a reprieve previously with Bangladesh's debutant keeper failing to latch on to a chance. The openers looked in good touch as the half-century stand was brought up inside 11 overs. Against the run of play, Taijul Islam struck for the hosts as Markram mistimed one straight to mid-on.

That was the only period of relief for Bangladesh as they were kept at bay for a very long time from thereon. Stubbs, who made a watchful start, brought out the reverse sweep for his first boundary before the pair really stamped their authority in the post-lunch session. After a watchful period of play, it was Stubbs who broke the shackles with a boundary before the opener brought out the reverse sweep for his first boundary of the session, which came after the drinks break.

Bangladesh not only saw the pair add over 100 runs but also lost a couple of reviews in a desperate attempt to break the partnership. Stubbs and de Zorzi hit a six each in successive overs to pile on the agony before the opener brought up his century just before the Tea break. Once the final session commenced, it was Stubbs who took the initiative to keep the scorecard moving. Mehidy Hasan was targeted in particular for a couple of sixes and a four whereas de Zorzi was content handing over the strike to the right-hander especially after showing signs of discomfort.

Eventually, Stubbs reached his milestone as two South African batters managed to hit centuries in the same innings for South Africa after five years. Taijul gave a beleaguered bowling unit some boost by finally bringing an end to the double-century stand as Stubbs got a bottom edge that clattered the stumps. Just before the second new ball was taken, South Africa sprung a surprise by going on the offensive to collect a few boundaries. Bangladesh however will have to wait to see if they can make some inroads with the new ball after bad light forced an early finish to the day with the home side bowling just a single over with the brand new cherry.

Brief scores:South Africa 307/2 (Tony de Zorzi 141*, Tristan Stubbs 106; Taijul Islam 2/110) vs Bangladesh