Tony de Zorzi, the South African opener, brought up his maiden Test hundred on the first day of the second Test match at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram. The left-handed batter celebrated the big moment in his Test career in style by copying the “Ice Cold” celebration of Chelsea and England footballer Cole Palmer, rubbing his biceps as his teammates clapped for him outside the field of play.
After winning the toss on day one, Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa, decided to bat first before he and Tony de Zorzi stitched together an opening stand of 69 runs, to send the visitors on their way to posting a substantial total after winning the first Test in Dhaka last week. After the captain’s dismissal, Tristan Stubbs joined Tony de Zorzi in the middle, and both the batter managed to keep Bangladesh bowlers sweating in the heat of the day.
Tony de Zorzi brought up his maiden Test hundred in 146 balls
While Tristan Stubbs was measured in approach for a long period, Tony de Zorzi took the opportunities to score boundaries at regular intervals, to keep the scoreboard moving along. In the 55th over of the South African innings, Tony de Zorzi swept Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a four towards the deep square boundary, to bring up his first century in Test cricket in 146 balls before doing a Cole Palmer in the sweltering heat of Chattogram.
Watch the clips of Tony de Zorzi’s Ice Cold celebration inspired by Cole Palmer and latter’s compilation:
The left-handed batter went on to see off day one before continuing his innings on day two, completing his maiden 150 in Tests in the 90th over of the South African innings. Tony de Zorzi went on to score 177 runs in 269 balls with 12 fours and four maximums before Taijul Islam trapped him lbw, to end his long vigil at the crease.
As of this writing, South Africa are 527/6 in 135 overs at tea time on day two against Bangladesh at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, ensuring that the hosts don’t have a chance to make a comeback in the two-match Test series.