South Africa move up WTC25 table after resounding series win

Saturday, 2 November 2024 04:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A 2-0 series whitewash has helped South Africa move to fourth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025 standings

South Africa wrapped up the second match in just three days, securing a massive an innings and 273-run victory over hosts Bangladesh in Chattogram – their biggest ever by margin of runs in Tests.

Following their seven-wicket win in the first Test in Dhaka, the Proteas churned out an even more impressive performance with the bowlers turning up the heat after a dominating batting display.

Opting to bat first, South Africa put up an intimidating 575/6, declaring after Wiaan Mulder’s maiden Test ton (105*). In the process, they also hit 17 sixes in their innings – a record for the African side.

Mulder, however, was not the only centurion, with opener Tony de Zorzi (177) and No. 3 Tristan Stubbs (106) also slamming their first Test hundreds. With supporting knocks from David Bedingham (59) and Senuran Muthusamy (68*), the Proteas amassed a big total.

For Bangladesh, Taijul Islam was the only bowler of note, picking up five wickets but he too ended up being expensive as the batters showed no respite from scoring.

In reply, the hosts were on the back foot right from the start of their first innings losing Shadman Islam in the first over. Three more wickets fell by the end of Day 2 and four more perished in the first session on Day 3. If not for the fighting knock of 82 from Mominul Haque, Bangladesh would have been bowled out for an even lower total. The hosts limped to 159 and South Africa decided to enforce the follow-on. Newly No.1 in ICC Test Player Rankings for bowlers, Kagiso Rabada was the architect of South Africa’s bowling dominance in the first innings – picking up yet another five-wicket haul.

Bangladesh did not fare better in the second innings either. This time it was the Proteas spinners who took charge and started making early inroads.

Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy took nine wickets between them, with Maharaj registering a five-wicket haul. Bangladesh folded for 143, 16 runs less than their first innings total.