Bangladesh v SA: Rabada takes 300th wicket as 16 fall on day one

South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada claimed his 300th Test wicket in an action-packed opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh, with 16 wickets falling in Mirpur on Monday.

While the Proteas’ Wiaan Mulder took his side’s first three wickets after Bangladesh opted to bat first, Rabada only had to wait until the 14th over to reach his milestone as the hosts folded in the opening session.

Outside of opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy (30), the rest of the Bangladeshi lineup struggled to get going, with Shadman Islam (0), Mominul Haque (4) and captain Najmul Hossain Shanto (7) all falling for single figures.

Mushfiqur Rahim (11) at least made a start, but when Rabada curled a ball back in from a length outside off, his stumps went flying and the seamer’s 300th scalp was in the bag.

There was no relenting from the tourists across the first session and a half, with the home team rolled for 106 inside 41 overs as Rabada (3/26), Mulder (3/22) and Keshav Maharaj (3/34) each took three wickets.

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In response, captain Aiden Markram (6) fell early before Tony de Zorzi (30) and Tristan Stubbs (23) combined to take South Africa to 50/1.

When Stubbs was outdone by a pearler from Taijul Islam, David Bedingham (11) and then Ryan Rickelton (27) combined with de Zorzi to keep the visitors’ score heading towards triple figures.

However, the loss of de Zorzi at 99 triggered a mini collapse, with three wickets falling in the space of nine runs to leave South Africa six down and Taijul with 5/49 before a rebuild took them through to 140/6 at stumps on day one.

After the end of play, Rabada revealed that the 300-wicket milestone was not at the front of his mind heading into the Test.

“When I came on to bowl this morning, I wasn’t really thinking about that final wicket,” he said.

“I was more focused on how we were going to win this Test, especially after losing the toss and bowling first.

“But when it happened, it was just a relief. Everyone plays for milestones, but it was a relief.

“The way my teammates support me, we support each other, and that felt really good. It’s a special moment.

“As for the record, I didn’t know about it, but I guess it motivates me to do even better.”

South Africa’s lead of 34 runs with four wickets in hand has them as strong favourites to win the Test, with most cricket bookmakers putting them at -400 to claim victory.

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