South Africa Tour of Bangladesh

Might as well.

We won the T20s 2-0. Neither game was even close, and are now playing the 50 overs. Kagiso Rabada took a sixfer on debut. He's come a long way in the last two years, because he really wasn't a wicket taker in 2012-13. Bangladesh all out for 160. Bit of a comedown for them after their world cup and post world cup ODIs.

Rabada has been marked out as one for the future for some time isn't it? Good to see the youngster making such an impressive ODI debut. He's far too inexperienced even at the domestic level, not playing 20 games in any of the 3 formats yet. Think they'll have to let him evolve and develop a bit more, let him learn a bit more about himself.......

I wouldn't say always, msp. Since the u19 CWC though, he definitely got sped through the filing system. I don't think it's a permanent welcoming into the big leagues. Just that with Steyn, Morkel, and Philander rested. It's time for the second string to get a look. We have an embarrassment of riches with the pace at the moment. Morris, Viljoen, Hendricks, Parnell, Rabada. All 90mph type bowlers. No need to rush Rabada. I think he was just being eased into it some more.

What is happening to Chris Morris these days? Injuries hit him at the wrong times, but how is he coming through? How close or far is he from the international side? Any chance of him coming through as South Africa's next test all-rounder

Maybe in the ODIs, but getting into the Test gig is hard. Stephen Cook smashed five centuries on the bounce in the FC last year, and he didn't get a call up. Also, I think South Africa are phasing away from playing with an all rounder. Would be useless to even bother trying to find a new Kallis. Look at England's struggles to find a new Flintoff!! In any case Philander also has a Test average nearing thirty, so he could, probably be classed as an all rounder. Morris would have to get in as a bowler. Which is tough, when you have Steyn, Philander, Morkel as the elect pace triumvirate. I'd think, for the Test series, we may go.

Elgar
Van Zyl
Du Plessis
Amla
Bavuma

JPD
De Kock
Harmer
Philander
Steyn
Morkel

Maybe in the ODIs, but getting into the Test gig is hard. Stephen Cook smashed five centuries on the bounce in the FC last year, and he didn't get a call up. Also, I think South Africa are phasing away from playing with an all rounder. Would be useless to even bother trying to find a new Kallis. Look at England's struggles to find a new Flintoff!! In any case Philander also has a Test average nearing thirty, so he could, probably be classed as an all rounder. Morris would have to get in as a bowler. Which is tough, when you have Steyn, Philander, Morkel as the elect pace triumvirate. I'd think, for the Test series, we may go.

Elgar
Van Zyl
Du Plessis
Amla
Bavuma

JPD
De Kock
Harmer
Philander
Steyn
Morkel

Bangladesh's spectacular 2015 continues!! They win their first ever ODI series against South Africa as they crushed the visiters in the last 2 games after losing the first game. It was an under-strength South Africa and all that, but Bangladesh deserve all the credit for winning their 3rd consecutive ODI series, against Pakistan, India and now South Africa.

Soumya Sarkar, who scored stroked filled half-centuries in the 2 Bangladesh wins led Bangladesh's efforts with the bat with contributions from Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah who returned from injury. Shakib Al Hasan showed signs of returning to his very best with the ball and wasn't required to do much with the bat in the last 2 games. Nasir Hossain has continued to improve his bowling, skipper Mortaza led well, and young Mustafizur Rahman, the find of the India series, produced solid performances in the last 2 games.

For South Africa, there was Kigiso Rabada's 6fer in the first game and then not much else as they were outplayed in the next 2 games.

Yep, not many positives. I wouldn't mind a defeat against Bangladesh for a few reasons. First being the world cup is four years away, and that's what we're building towards. We've been #1 in the world etc, it's now all about one thing, and we'll trial and error our way until six months before it. The problem is that while the pace bowling was completely second string, that was easily our best batting line up, except for AB, and they got rolled like drunks. Still, onto the Tests.

BD proving that their wins in recent time have been no flukes.

they have made all round progress as an ODI team in home conditions.

This is how Lanka also grew.....when they took their first steps away from being minnows in early 1990s under Ranatunga....they started winning a lot of ODIs at home.

kingraf wrote:Yep, not many positives. I wouldn't mind a defeat against Bangladesh for a few reasons. First being the world cup is four years away, and that's what we're building towards. We've been #1 in the world etc, it's now all about one thing, and we'll trial and error our way until six months before it. The problem is that while the pace bowling was completely second string, that was easily our best batting line up, except for AB, and they got rolled like drunks. Still, onto the Tests.

It doesnt help that SA always insit on picking one player who has absolutely nothing to offer the team other than an extra pair of hands in the field. SAs strength is based on a small pool of exceptional players backed up by some good ones. Take two of those out plus some others and its not amazing they look a bit ordinary.

Wouldnt read too much into a one off second string game.

From a South African perspective, there really wasn't much to learn. The ICC Champions trophy and the world cup are in England. Results in the subcontinent mean nothing, especially with the world cup being round robin, and thus no seedings.

From a Bangladeshi perspective, this is huge. They've come back from 1-0 down to beat us. They've also now won three huge home series on the bounce. Augurs well for them moving forward.

Pretty much called the Test line up spot on. Only surprises being that Amla slots back into his old #3 spot, and Faf bats in at four. Also, Quinny bats in at 6 and JPD slots in as the #7 all rounder. Has a slightly ODI feel to it does that.

SA on the mat a Mustafizur takes 3 in an over, his first over, on debut..... bowling just a bit shy of 140kph while the top 3 fell to innocuous slow....
Quniton De KOck......when has he scored any runs ?

anyway.......BD themselves are vulnerable to collapses...so SA should look to get to 250+ from here and they would be in the game

Triple wicket maiden. Crazy scenes. From the relative comfort of 173-3, South Africa have found themselves in a spot of bother.

Its a strange day when Bavuma is in danger of being your top scorer!

well they get to 248....normally you would say that the team dismissing the opponent for 248 on D1 pitch is far ahead.....nevertheless here.....BD are just about in a competitive situation

How close to being a first choice SA team is this? No De Villiers (not sure why and can't find any info on it), a couple of batsmen I have not heard of. Is Philander still first choice, what about the spinner Harmer?

Looks pretty good from Bangladesh anyway, a much improved team taking their ODI form and confidence over to the Test arena

Pretty close to full tilt, I think. Major thing is that it's a new look batting line up. New opening partnership. Bavumu a isn't really a Five, so well played to him. JPD is playing his first test in a year as well. Mainly rustiness and untested combinations. Bangladesh have put themselves into a good position, but we should still come through.

Without wishing to open up too much of a can of worms, and the fact he was top scorer in this innings, is there any non political justifcation for Bavuma being selected ahead of someone like Rossouw?

kingraf wrote:Pretty close to full tilt, I think. Major thing is that it's a new look batting line up. New opening partnership. Bavumu a isn't really a Five, so well played to him. JPD is playing his first test in a year as well. Mainly rustiness and untested combinations. Bangladesh have put themselves into a good position, but we should still come through.

Thanks - so ABDV comes back in at 5, but other than that full strength. But yes, I still expect SA to win, I would not be surprised to see Bangla concede a first innings lead, and even if they didn't I don't think your lot will mess up the second innings so much

fantastic day for Bangladesh, really good to see them carrying on their decent odi form, and transforming it into the test arena... they're starting to discover some good seamers, which is also good to see

Well, he did average 70 in the FC last season. Rilee didn't play much FC. The season before that, Bavuma averaged a shade short of 40, but Rossouw only averaged 43. Simply hasn't done enough. The guy who can feel a little short changed is Stephen Cook. Opening bat. Cracked five hundreds on the bounce in the FC cricket season. But at 33, he's probably a little old to debut. South Africa doesn't do the Australian thing of picking oldies to debut. Pity, I always liked Cook, almost criminal that he never got a Test cap.

Fabulous day for Bangladesh. But it is test cricket and they are playing South Africa. So the intensity has to be maintained throughout. They have to bat well in their first innings, get a good lead and then try and put the pressure on South Africa.......

South Africa need a huge effort from Dale Steyn to turn things around in this test. Steyn has to bowl like the way he did against India on typical subcontinent tracks.

While young Mustafizur was splendid and grabbed all the headlines, South Africa would be worried that Jubair Hossain could trouble their top order and then like a good leggie, put the lower order down quickly enough. And they do have Shakib, and Taijul also to come in the 3rd innings to trouble South Africa. Makes it all the more important for Steyn and co to cut the Bangladesh first innings short as quickly as possible.

Also good to see Bangladesh showing good intent in their team selection, they have gone in with 4 bowlers besides the all-rounder in Shakib Al Hasan. They were playing Shuvagata hom for some reason in recent tests, and he could neither bat nor bowl at test level. They've eventually dropped him and have gone in with 2 specialist seamers and 2 specialist spinners and they are of course blessed with the best all-rounder in the world at present to balance the side.

msp83 wrote: South Africa would be worried that Jubair Hossain could trouble their top order and then like a good leggie, put the lower order down quickly enough.

no one would be worried about the leggie...who got lucky with two long hops and a freak catch at short leg that got caught in the arm pit

Four more Wickets and Steyn cruises into the 400 stick club. Crazy that if he has a really good test here, he'll be even with Anderson, despite playing 25 tests less. Gonna be a huge hole to plug when he retires, which I think will be the 2016-17 season, if all goes well.



Oh, and VTR; AB's on paternity leave.

Seems crazy to me that hes played 25 less tests ... although I guess thats because SA just dont play enough

Yeah, we don't get many tests for whatever reason. Until this test AB had never missed a Test match, which means that since the beginning of the 2004-5 English series, we've only had 99 Tests. Whereas Cook has already clocked 110 test caps.

Bangladesh going alright so far today - but they are more than capable of collapsing at any point

AB being on paternity leave is fair enough, surprising the cricinfo match preview didn't bother to mention it though!

Problem for Bangladesh is they probably let South Africa score too much for them to take a decisive first innings lead, and are indeed scoring so slowly they may well be bundled for a deficit.

Problem for Bangladesh is they probably let South Africa score too much for them to take a decisive first innings lead, and are indeed scoring so slowly they may well be bundled for a deficit. Given the rather one sided nature of their tests vs Pakistan and India, they may not quite able to compete with subcontinental teams, but seemingly they are now at the stage where they can take advantage of home conditions against teams which which aren't accustomed to slower, lower, pitches.

A bangla-crash round the corner you would sense......but maybe they have metamorphosed and we will see a new BD in this game.
for them to feel nose really ahead...they need to do a 350+ in this inning....get a lead of 100+
Historic opportunity for BD to put one across a mega-test-nation.....and so they must eek out ever bit of resolve they have

One wicket before the new ball will be the goal. Doesn't seem like there'll be more play today. Bangladesh have, I think, probably already lost the opening they created on day one.

With both Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah not building on the starts and with them giving away 2 wickets to South African parttimers, Bangladesh have lost most of the advantage they managed on day 1. But Shakib and Mushfiqur are still there, and there is young Liton Das to come. Among the bowlers, Taijul can certainly hold a bat. If they can manage 1 big partnership, at least a hundred partnership, they should take a lead. They can then try and put SA under pressure in the 3rd innings.

KP_fan wrote:

msp83 wrote: South Africa would be worried that Jubair Hossain could trouble their top order and then like a good leggie, put the lower order down quickly enough.

no one would be worried about the leggie...who got lucky with  two long hops and a freak catch at short leg that got caught in the arm pit

Jubair's wickets admittedly didn't come of his best deliveries, but he did bowl well, got the ball to turn at times. He's not going to have the kind of control that a Shakib Al Hasan can manage, but he's someone who can go on to do greater things. And on a a track that will be into the 3rd day, he could find more assistance.

Lead of 69 now. I think it's become an important lead already. Bangladesh will be looking at 100 as a lead now. We've simply not done a good... Or even reasonable job of cleaning the tail this morning. Bit of a worry now. This could be an upset blooming.

BD keep inching forward and losing wickets at the same time.....73 ahead with 2 wickets in hand...may at best touch 100 mark their lead......most likely will fall short of that.

In my view they have NOT created enough differential on first inning lead to stamp SA out.

SA have to bat well and get a lead of atleast 250 and then they would be 70-30 favourites to win.

If SA collapse again to anotehr sub 250ish total.....then they deserve the ignominy that would befall them .

Steyn ends on 399. Bangladesh lead by 78. Plan will have to be to bat today and all of tomorrow. Lead by 300ish, and go hard on day five.

So Bangla lead wiped out almost and a golden opportunity slipping away from their hands to create history.
weather is playing up and a factor.

once SA enters into positive territory with all or most wickets intact they must play positively and push for a win.

Think Bangladesh lost their moment in the match. They needed to push that leed pass 100 as both Shakib and Liton Das got starts but were cut short on 47 and 50 respectively. Now that the South African openers have almost cut the lead out, its up to the visitors to set the tempo of the game. SA aren't sae yet, so they have careful early tomorrow, but if they can reach 125 with only or at most 2 down, they should then try and set the pace of the game. Not an easy pitch to score quickly though, and as we kno AB isn't playing. So not an easy task for SA, but think they are even in the game at this stage and have the better side to gain the advantage.
Bangladesh would be hoping for quickly, early wickets tomorrow. If they can separate the oopners and get Amla quickly, SA will be under pressure and they would find it difficult to force the pace of the game. If Bangladesh can maintain the pressure and bowl SA out under 300, they will have a decent chance in the last innings.

Washout on day 4. Draw seems most likely at this stage with the weather not set to be great tomorrow either. Bangladesh would be hoping they would get some play in tomorrow and that South Africa would have a dramatic collapse....... Or perhaps they would take their first ever draw against SA.

A day's lost play was unideal for both teams. But, Bangladesh have now found themselves in a position from which defeat is essentially a far fetched notion. They need to attack long and hard for the length of the South African innings. Try chase 160ish in the final session.

rain saves BD as it did in their last test vs India...and draws against top sides give valuable ICC ranking points to BD

Another washout and the game ends in a draw. Can't say rain quite saved Bangladesh as South Africa were still behind in the game.

at 246-8 BD would be disappointed.....plenty of their guys got a start but no one made it big......and while Steyn is meant to get wickets BD would also be disappointed handing over 3 wickets to Dumminy

Dale Steyn goes pass 400, well done to the master, the best bowler of his generation.
But a disappointing performance from Bangladesh. 5 out of their top 7 got starts but the highest score was Mushfiqur Rahim's 65. Shakib, Mahmudullah, Mominul and Imrul, all got start but failed to make it count.