Heartache for Bavuma as Bangladesh fightback sees Proteas wobble at Kingsmead

If only it were an April Fool's joke.

Temba Bavuma's six-year century drought in Test cricket continues after he fell agonisingly short on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh at Kingsmead on Friday.

The diminutive right-hander departed for an excellent 93, expertly marshalling a Proteas lower-order batting effort that once again subsided, eroding the opening day's promising effort.

Through his efforts, the hosts reached 314/8 at lunch.

Bavuma seemed set for a thoroughly deserved second hundred in the pinnacle format of the game, only got go back to a delivery from off-spinner Mehidy Hasan Miraz that turned freakishly, hit his leg and ricocheted onto his stumps.

The feeling of deflation and depression was tangible, with various members of the national team looking on in disbelief, in particular head coach Mark Boucher.

It is true that he was dropped on 77 when he fended a lifting delivery from the lively Khaled Ahmed (3/80) to slip, where Yasir Ali dropped a tough chance and miscued an extravagant advance down the wicket that could easily have been stumping on 90, but for the rest of his innings his control was impeccable.

His only triple figure score remains the iconic, unbeaten 102 he crafted at 2016's New Years' Test against England at Newlands.

Bavuma did find a useful ally in Keshav Maharaj, who survived a iffy start playing on the off-side to stroke a useful 19 before being castled by an Ebadot Hossain (2/72) cracker that moved off the seam.

Wiaan Mulder, selected as the designated all-rounder to fortify the batting at No 7, was out for a golden duck as he sliced to gully, leaving him so distraught that he sat in the dug-out for 25 minutes with his pads on, contemplating.

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