SA vs BAN 2017: Morne Morkel To Miss Day Five Due To Side Strain
Oct 2, 2017 at 12:49 PM
South Africa go into the fifth and final day of the first Test as firm favourites as the visitors lost their top three batsmen on day four. Bangladesh needs 375 more runs to win on the final day. However, their chances of achieving the target look very minimal, and South Africa need seven more wickets to win. Rain will also have a significant effect on the result of the match as it played spoilsport in the last session on day four.
Another advantage for Bangladesh in the first Test is that Morne Morkel will not bowl again in the first as he got injured on day four. The already hampered South African bowling line-up suffered a major setback when Morkel walked out of the field just before tea on day four. The onus of picking up the remaining seven wickets will now be on a depleted bowling attack of Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier and Andile Phehlukwayo.
To add to the misery of the South African team, torrential rains are predicted on Monday which means their bowlers might not have the 90 overs to be bowled in a day. South Africa declared on 247-6 giving them a lead of 424 runs in the second innings.
Faf Du Plessis’s decision to continue to bat in the second session on day four might be criticised if they fail to pick up the remaining wickets in the match. Du Plessis and Temba Bavuma showed some intent while batting. They could have been in a better position in the game had they fielded well and taken their chances. Maharaj will be a key factor in the remainder of the game as he has troubled the Bangladeshi batsmen on a regular basis.
Morkel will undergo a scan for his side strain.