South Africa pile on the runs against Bangladesh

POTCHEFSTROOM, South Africa (Reuters) - South Africa captain Faf du Plessis and Temba Bavuma both made half centuries as they increased their lead over Bangladesh to 379 runs at lunch on the fourth day of the first test on Sunday.

The home side were 203 for three wickets at Senwes Park after the opening session as Du Plessis led an aggressive push for runs with 149 added to their overnight total at a rate of 4.5 per over.

South Africa are looking to set Bangladesh a mammoth target but also need to declare early enough to give themselves sufficient time to bowl out the opposition on a flat, lifeless track.

Du Plessis was 77 not out off 92 balls while Bavuma was unbeaten on 64.

South Africa were 54-2 overnight with Hashim Amla on 17 and Bavuma on three. Amla was the only wicket to fall before lunch as he was caught behind for 28.

SCOREBOARD

South Africa 1st innings 496 for 3 decl (D. Elgar 199, H. Amla 137, A. Markram 97) Bangladesh 1st innings 320 (M. Haque 77, Mahmudullah 66)

South Africa 2nd innings (Overnight: 54-2) A. Markram c Das b M. Rahman 15 D. Elgar lbw b Sh. Islam 18 H. Amla c Das b M. Rahman 28 T. Bavuma not out 64 F. du Plessis not out 77

Extras (nb-1) 1 Total (for 3 wickets, 45 overs) 203 Fall of wickets: 1-30 D. Elgar,2-38 A. Markram,3-70 H. Amla To bat: Q. de Kock, A. Phehlukwayo, K. Maharaj, K. Rabada, M. Morkel, D. Olivier

Bowling Mehidy Hasan 8 - 1 - 51 - 0 Shafiul Islam 10 - 1 - 40 - 1 Mustafizur Rahman 11 - 2 - 30 - 2 Taskin Ahmed 6 - 0 - 29 - 0(nb-1) Sabbir Rahman 5 - 0 - 25 - 0 Mahmudullah 4 - 0 - 21 - 0 Mominul Haque 1 - 0 - 7 - 0

Referees Umpire: Chris Gaffaney Umpire: Bruce Oxenford TV umpire: Kumar Dharmasena Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle