Harmer's all-round effort makes it South Africa's day

Simon Harmer marked his return to Test cricket by taking the first four Bangladesh wickets on the second afternoon in Durban. The offspinner, who took 491 wickets between this Test and his last in 2015, pegged away at the visitors. Earlier in the day, his dogged 38 off 73 balls had helped South Africa to 367 after they were 298 for 8 at one point. In reply, Bangladesh ended the day at 98 for 4.

Bad light during the afternoon meant that South Africa used their fast bowlers Duanne Olivier and Lizaad Williams for just nine overs. Harmer and Maharaj wheeled away for 20 overs and 19 overs respectively.

Harmer first removed Shadman Islam for 9 before tea and then bowled Najmul Hossain Shanto for 38 with a delivery that turned and hit the top of off stump. Arguably, it was Harmer's best ball on the day - a lovely offbreak that turned past the outside edge and ended a 55-run partnership for the second wicket.

In Harmer's next over, Mominul fell, to Keegan Petersen's brilliant catch at silly point, for a duck. To compound Bangladesh's troubles, Harmer also removed Mushfiqur Rahim in the 46th over of the innings, Kyle Verreynne taking a good catch down the leg side.

Harmer had earlier played a crucial role in South Africa putting together a competitive total. He added 34 for the ninth wicket with Williams and then 35 for the last wicket with Olivier to frustrate Bangladesh. He stepped up when South Africa needed a contribution from the lower order.

The contest was perhaps even when Khaled Ahmed removed Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder off consecutive balls in the morning session. After Verreynne was trapped lbw, Mulder edged Khaled's next ball to gully where Mahmudul Hasan Joy took the first of his two sharp catches at gully. In the morning session, South Africa lost 4 for 53, but they bounced back strongly later in the day.

Temba Bavuma and Maharaj added 53 runs for the seventh wicket before Mehidy Hasan Miraz got one to rip back into Bavuma. The South Africa captain top-scored with 93 off 190 balls. Next ball, Ebadot Hossain bowled Maharaj for 19.

Olivier and Harmer batted out 12 overs before Olivier played back to another big-turning offbreak from Mehidy and fell lbw. Khaled finished with 4 for 92 while Mehidy with 3 for 94. Taskin, who was the Player of the Series in the ODIs, went wicketless on Friday although he put in an excellent shift with the ball.