Potchefstroom, South Africa: South African fast bowler Morne Morkel took two wickets for no runs in the first over of Bangladesh’s second innings before an injury to the fast bowler and a thunderstorm hit South Africa’s hopes of an early win on the fourth day of the first Test on Sunday.
Bangladesh were reeling at 49 for three after being set to make 424 to win when a storm hit Senwes Park during the tea break and no further play was possible.
More showers are possible on the final day on Monday and Morkel, who took two for 19, is not expected to bowl again.
He left the field with a side strain after bowling two balls in his sixth over. He is due to have scans on Monday to establish the extent of the injury.
Morkel’s sensational start could have been even better. He was denied a third wicket because of a no-ball.
Morkel, bowling around the wicket, bowled Tamim Iqbal with his fourth ball, a superb delivery which straightened off the pitch and hit the off stump.
Two balls later he won a leg before wicket decision against another left-hander, Mominul Haque, who made top score of 77 in Bangladesh’s first innings.
After consulting batting partner Imrul Kayes, Mominul did not seek a television review of umpire Chris Gaffaney’s decision but replays showed the ball would have missed the leg stump.
Switching to over the wicket, Morkel uprooted the middle stump of Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s right-handed captain, with the second delivery of his next over. A television check showed the bowler had over-stepped the bowling crease. A no-ball was called and Rahim was reprieved.
It was a world record 14th occasion on which Morkel had been denied a Test wicket because of a no-ball.
South Africa missed another chance when captain Faf du Plessis dropped Kayes at second slip off Kagiso Rabada when the batsman was on six.
Kayes made 32 before he was caught behind off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj in what proved to be the last over of the day.
Du Plessis (81) and Temba Bavuma (71) set up South Africa’s second innings declaration on 247 for six with a fourth wicket partnership of 142 off 172 balls.
