Smith Scores Double Ton As Proteas Hit 405 On Day One
223 not out: Graeme Smith.
©REUTERS/Ashikur Rahman (BANGLADESH) Picture Supplied by Action Images
405-0 (Smith 223no, McKenzie 169no)
Bangladesh in Chittagong
Scorecard
South Africa lead the series 1-0
South African captain Graeme Smith emulated Sir Don Bradman and compatriots Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs as he scored a double century on day one of the second Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.
South Africa closed on 405 without loss, with Smith and Neil McKenzie closing in on the Test record opening partnership of 413, held by Indians Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy.
Smith (223) and McKenzie (169) ensured that their side got off to the best possible start in as they put on an unbroken quadruple century stand for the first wicket, which surpassed the South African record.
The batsman hammered the Bangladeshi bowling all day, scoring at over four an over with boundaries coming very easily as Smith and McKenzie overtook the previous record of 358 which had been set by Smith and Gibbs against Pakistan in Cape Town in 2003.
Smith, who hit 62 in the first match in Dhaka, passed 5000 runs in Tests before scoring his 14th Test century as the pair added 92 before lunch, 144 in the afternoon, and then 169 in the final session.
McKenzie scored his first half-century since being recalled to the side after the first break in play and then went on to score his third Test century shortly after tea as the partnership passed 250.
The pair passed 350 together towards the close once McKenzie had himself reached 150, by then 30 runs better than his previous Test best.
Smith scored his fourth double century shortly before the close, working the ball to leg and then the 400 came up with Bangladesh utterly put to the sword.
South Africa won the toss and chose to bat, making one change to their side in replacing Johan Botha with Robin Peterson while Bangladesh replaced ex-captain Habibul Bashar with a second spinner, Abdur Razzak.
South Africa leads the series 1-0 after a five-wicket win in the first match in Dhaka.
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