Hridoy ton as Bangladesh reaches 327-6 on 1st day of 1st cricket test vs South Africa, Rabada 5-51

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) — Towhid Hridoy scored 137 runs off 227 balls as Bangladesh fought back on day one of the first cricket test against host South Africa to reach 327-6 at stumps on Sunday.

Hridoy hit a second century in only his seventh innings in four tests, scoring 14 fours and a six, as he added 206 runs for the sixth wicket with Litton Das at the Wanderers.

Hridoy was out off the last ball of the day, trapped lbw by a low full toss from Marco Jansen in the 84th over, with the review staying in South Africa’s favor.

Das finished unbeaten on 92 off 138 balls, with 12 fours, as the duo undid South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada’s 3-16 in a fiery six-over spell after Bangladesh had won the toss and opted to bat. Rabada finished the day with 5-51 off 17 overs.

Bangladesh went to lunch at 91-3 in 26 overs.

Hridoy and Tanzid Hasan added 99 off 152 balls to revive the innings from 22-3 in 8.5 overs.

Rabada struck early in the second session as well when Hasan was unlucky to get an inside edge onto the stumps and was bowled in the 35th over for 67 off 108 balls.

Veteran batter Mushfiqur Rahum was out for a golden duck – caught at third slip – as Bangladesh slipped to 121-5 in 34.2 overs. It was Rabada’s 18th five-wicket haul in tests, even as Hridoy began rebuilding the innings again.

This time Hridoy put on an even bigger partnership with Das on either side of tea. Before the break, Hridoy reached 50 off 99 balls, while the duo added 50 off 79 balls. Bangladesh was 184-5 at tea.

It was almost a wicket-less final session. Hridoy and Das' 100-stand came off 140 balls with another 50 added off further 89 balls.

Hridoy, who scored 224 against West Indies at Sylhet in his previous test, reached 100 off 194 balls deep into the session. Das got to 50 off 71 balls.

Bangladesh crossed 300 in the 78th over.

The second new ball was duly taken, and Jansen finally delivered the breakthrough to dismiss Hridoy leg before.

In the morning, Rabada wreaked havoc with the new ball. Debutant Mahfijul Islam was caught first ball, edging a wide delivery to third slip as Jansen made no mistake.

Rabada made it two wickets in his eight balls as Mominul Haque was caught behind for a seven-ball duck.

Skipper Najmul Shanto scored 12 runs but was undone by a sharp inswinger from Rabada, leaving the top-order in tatters.

The early dismissals brought Hasan and Hridoy together, and they batted out the remainder of the session.

South Africa took the No. 1 ranking after its recent series win at home against Australia but currently sits second in the World Test Championship table, with New Zealand first. The top two sides will contest the final in June 2027.

Bangladesh is fifth, after losing 1-0 at home to the West Indies.

See AP’s full cricket coverage here

Bangladesh's Towhid Hridoy kneels down after reaching his century on day one of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Bangladesh, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Dane Paterson follows the ball on the first day of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Bangladesh in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada reacts after his delivery on day one of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Bangladesh, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Bangladesh's Towhid Hridoy makes a run after playing a shot on day one of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Bangladesh in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Bangladesh's Towhid Hridoy celebrates his century on day one of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Bangladesh, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

WASHINGTON (AP) — A college senior who wants to clean up debris pollution in Earth's orbit and a student who has researched AI use in healthcare are among the 32 Americans named as 2027 Rhodes scholars.

The winners, who were announced on Saturday, have a variety of interests, from bioelectronics to water scarcity to art history. They were chosen from 238 finalists who emerged from more than 1,000 candidates who received formal endorsements from their colleges and universities for the honor.

The students will attend the University of Oxford in England as part of the Rhodes scholar program, which awards more than 100 scholarships worldwide each year for students to pursue two to three years of graduate studies.

Two students are the first-ever Rhodes scholars from their schools — Prairie View A&M University in Texas and The Citadel — The Military College of South Carolina. Harvard University led the way with four 2027 Rhodes scholars, followed by Yale and Princeton with three each.

The winners include:

Evan Garrison, of Webb City, Missouri, a senior at Mississippi State University majoring in aerospace engineering and mathematics. His research includes designing ways to detect objects in space, with an interest in cleaning up orbital debris known as “space junk.” He plans to study mathematical modeling, scientific computing and global governance and diplomacy at Oxford.

Asuka Koda, of New York City, a senior at Yale University majoring in mathematics and philosophy. She has researched AI adoption in healthcare and has been a health and science writer for CNN. She plans to study social science of the internet and international health and tropical medicine at Oxford.

Michael Bueker, from Wellesley, Massachusetts, a senior at Dartmouth College majoring in biomedical engineering. His research has focused on biodegradable, implantable neural stimulators and other ultrathin bioelectronic devices. He also grows giant pumpkins. At Oxford, he intends to study engineering science.

Elizabeth Koenck, of Aurora, Colorado, a senior at Georgetown University majoring in foreign service. Her research has examined water scarcity problems across the Middle East, North Africa and the Colorado River Basin. She plans to pursue degrees in migration studies and water science, policy and management at Oxford.

Sabrina Soriano, of Azusa, California, a senior at Yale University majoring in art history. Her research includes 19th-century French painting, with a focus on the relationship between art, religion and cultural identity. She plans to study history of art and visual culture and visual, material and museum anthropology at Oxford.

Named after British imperialist and benefactor Cecil John Rhodes, the scholarships were established at Oxford in 1903. The program has more than 8,000 alumni, many of whom have pursued careers in government, education, the arts and social justice.

FILE - People walk around Oxford University's campus on Sept. 3, 2017, in Oxford, England. (AP Photo/Caroline Spiezio, File)