‘It’s not right’: Cricket world fumes over ‘disgraceful’ incident
Sam Goodwin
South Africa’s spiteful Test series against Bangladesh has come to an end, but not before another ugly incident caused more divide between the two sides.
Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer took all 10 wickets on Monday as South Africa crushed Bangladesh by 332 runs in the second Test in Cape Town, completed a 2-0 series sweep.
Bangladesh resumed on the fourth morning at 3-27 chasing a venue record 413 for victory.
However the tourists seemed to already have their minds on the flight home as poor shot selection allowed South Africa to skittle them out for 80 in their second innings.
Maharaj took 7-40 and Harmer 3-34 on a wicket that provided prodigious turn, not unfamiliar conditions for sub-continent side Bangladesh, who will be desperately disappointed with their application.
Tensions between the two sides lingered in the second Test after some ugly accusations in the opener.
Bangladesh were left fuming about the Proteas’ sledging in Durban, as well as taking aim at a number of umpiring decisions they thought favoured the home side.
And things threatened to boil over again in Cape Town when Khaled Ahmed hit Kyle Verreynne with a throw at the stumps.
Ahmed hit Verreynne in the hand after the South African batsman had played the ball back down the pitch.
Verreynne was still in his crease and didn’t look like leaving it and was left fuming at Ahmed’s throw.
Pommy Mbangwa hit out in commentary, saying: “There’s aggression and there’s aggression, and there’s a way to do it.
“There is a way and you got to stay within the parameters.
“He (the striker) is going nowhere, and if you throw it at him, you could hurt him.
“It’s not right, it’s not ideal. Got to remain in control of yourself, so important.”
Umpire Marais Erasmus was also unhappy, levelling a stern warning to Bangladesh.
South Africa won the first Test in Durban by 220 runs, where they bowled Bangladesh out for 53 in their second innings.
South Africa will be especially pleased with the series win given six of their first team regulars chose to play in the Indian Premier League and were not available.
“Playing this series with what people have called a weakened squad gives other guys opportunities at this level,” captain Dean Elgar said at the post-match presentation.
“Having the luxury of two quality spin bowlers in our squad is brilliant. We have tough challenges coming up, England (July-September) and Australia (December-January) away but if you have a lot of options you give yourself the best chance of winning.”
South Africa started the fourth day with two substitutes in their side after opening batsman Sarel Erwee and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder tested positive for Covid-19 overnight.
The International Cricket Council allows for players to be replaced in the lineup under such conditions and Khaya Zondo was therefore handed his Test debut, while seamer Glenton Stuurman came in for Mulder.
Both teams agreed the tour would not be played in a bio-secure environment to allow players more freedom away from the pitch.
The pair were required as fielders only as South Africa made light work of dismissing the tourists, though Bangladesh were their own worst enemies as they tried to hit themselves out of trouble with disastrous results.
Only Litton Das (27) provided any sort of resistance, though he was stumped by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne as he advanced down the wicket against Maharaj.
