Maharaj takes seven as SA beat Bangladesh in 1st Test

SA spinner Keshav Maharaj celebrates a Bangladesh wicket at Durban yesterday. Pic/AFP

Spin bowling won the first Test for South Africa against Bangladesh at Kingsmead on Monday, but captain Dean Elgar said he still preferred to attack opponents with fast bowling.

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj and off-spinner Simon Harmer bowled unchanged as Bangladesh crashed to 53 all out, giving SA a 220-run win. Maharaj took seven for 32 and Harmer claimed three for 21. SA were without their entire front-line fast bowling attack, with Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen all contracted to Indian Premier League teams.

Elgar said the conditions at Kingsmead dictated the spin option. "Even if the IPL guys were available, Keshav and Harmy would have bowled most of our overs," said Elgar.

Brief scores
South Africa 367 & 204 beat Bangladesh 298 & 53 (N Shanto 26; K Maharaj 7-32, S Harmer 3-21) by 220 runs

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