Bangladesh opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy's brief journey in international cricket has been nothing short of incredible.

From scoring a duck in his maiden Test innings, against Pakistan at home last year, the 21-year-old has already earned quite a generous accolade from someone like the Tigers' batting consultant Jamie Siddons, having led from the front in fifty per cent of the innings Joy played so far in his career which, even though, had only spanned up to three Tests.  

Joy, who completed his only fourth innings as of today, showcased an exemplary Test innings for his teammates against South African in Durban, according to Siddons, someone who has been watching Joy closer than anyone lately.

Joy's 137-run knock of 326 balls, lasting 442 minutes since opening the innings, will serve as a reference points for Bangladesh batters in the longest format, as per the Australian coach.  

"I have just said to the boys that Joy gave us a really good example of how to bat in Test cricket. You rarely see his levels of patience from our batsmen," Siddons said in a press conference following day's play on Saturday.  

"We are really proud of the way he batted. Batting through the whole innings is special for Bangladesh. I am not sure there have been many better innings for Bangladesh in Test cricket," Siddons added.

Joy in action at the Kingsmead stadium in Durban today. Photo: AFP

However, it can be safe to say that Joy had played the best innings by a Bangladesh batter against the Proteas by a long margin since no Bangladeshi before in the country's history had crossed the eighties mark against South Africa in the longest format, even in the comfort of home conditions.

So, what has clicked for the youngster in South Africa as well as in Mount Maunganui, for that matter, where he scored another gritty knock as today's, a vital 228-ball 78 contributing to a historic red-ball triumph for the Tigers? One must remember also that, before New Zealand, the lad from Chandpur did not have the most pleasant of introduction at the international stage since Joy had got out for naught and a six on his Test debut.

Bangladesh's Mahmudul Hasan Joy celebrates after reaching his maiden Test ton. Photo: AFP

One cannot be blamed for wanting to know what is Joy doing differently from the experienced batters, the likes of Mominul Haque or Mushfiqur Rahim for instance, who have not been among the runs of late. Jamie mentioned that Joy knows how to work within the limitations, combining a great sense of game-reading abilities and self-belief.    

"Today's innings was of patience and great game-plan. He stuck to what he knows. He didn't try to play any expansive shots that weren't in his repertoire.

"Joy manipulated the field quite well. He hit over the top when the field was up. When they put a fielder back, he knocked it for one. He believed he could bat for six hours," Jamie said further.  

0, 6, 78 and 137: Joy's first four innings after today's play at Kingsmead. Quite arguably, Joy has played an innings that many Bangladesh batters must have fantasized, given the backdrop and circumstances of the first Test of the two-match series in South Africa. However, if Joy continues his near-exponential growth, in terms of run scored in an innings, the right-hander with an infectious smile on his face will keep on setting further examples for his side and more importantly, for the pipeliners as well.