South Africa crush Bangladesh

South African players relish their big win [AFP]

Robin Peterson claimed three early wickets to help South Africa thrash Bangladesh by an innings and 205 runs in second and final test cricket.

Bangladesh was dismissed for 119 in its second innings after little more than an hour’s play on the fourth day, chasing a massive victory target of 583 set by South Africa in its first innings.

The home team was forced to follow on after it managed to amass just 259 in reply in its first innings.

Peterson dismissed Mushfiqur Rahim for four runs after he failed to add to his overnight score when he resumed the day with Abdur Razzak, who was unbeaten on 32 at the end of the match.

The slow, left armed bowler also claimed Mohammad Rafique for a duck and Shahadat Hossain for 24 to complete his 5-33.

Fast bowler Morne Morkel dismissed Mashrafe-bin-Mortaza for four to end the game as Aftab Ahmed did not return to crease after he was injured on Sunday.

“We couldn’t show our best,” Bangladesh captain Mohammad Asharful said.

“We are yet to build a habit to play a big innings.”

On Sunday, paceman Dale Steyn had figures of 3-4 to crush Bangladesh’s top order.

In the first innings, South Africa’s Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie set a test opening partnership record of 415, topping the previous mark set in 1956 by India’s Vinoo Mankad and Pankaj Roy.

“It was very, very special,” Smith said of the record stand. “It was a terrific experience.”

South Africa clinched the two match series 2-0 after winning the opening test by five wickets, and next heads to India for a three-test series starting later this month.

“It has been fantastic,” Smith said.

“It’s nice mentally to get into the right frame of mind when playing in the subcontinent. This tour has been beneficial so far.”