Bangladesh won the toss and sent South Africa in to bat in the first Test at Springbok Park Wednesday.
Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful said he was influenced by the amount of grass on the pitch which could help the bowlers during the first two hours.
It was nevertheless a surprising decision on a sunny, breezy day. The pitch looked good for batting although there were patches of green grass on the surface.
Bangladesh handed a first Test cap to opening batsman Imrul Kayes, 21, and included Sajedul Islam, a left-arm seam bowler who joined the team Tuesday as a replacement for the injured Syed Rasel.
Opening bowler Mashrafe Mortaza was declared fit after struggling with a back injury.
South Africa’s team was as expected. The only change from the side that finished a winning series in England in August was fast bowler Dale Steyn for Andre Nel. Steyn missed the last two Tests in England because of injury.
Teams:
South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Neil McKenzie, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, Ashwell Prince, AB de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Paul Harris, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini.
Bangladesh: Mohammad Ashraful (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Mehrab Hossain, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mashrafe Mortaza, Sajedul Islam, Shahadat Hossain, Mahbubul Alam.
Umpires: Steve Davis (AUS), Ian Gould (ENG). TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA).
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS).
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