South African Cricketers Reach Bangladesh, Expect Tough Battle Ahead
South Africa coach Russell Domingo says his team is aware of Bangladesh's recent form at home and will be leaving nothing to chance when the two teams face off.
South Africa head coach Russell Domingo feels it would be preposterous to embark on the Bangladesh tour believing everything would go their way.
Fourth-ranked South Africa are expecting a tough tour, the Proteas coach said on Tuesday. The two teams will square off in two Twenty20 Internationals, three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and two Tests with the first 20-over game set for July 5. (Also read: Bangla newspaper mocks Indian cricketers)
Following their most successful World Cup campaign in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year, Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and his men carried their fine form to their own backyard. They convincingly won back-to-back maiden ODI series' against former world champions Pakistan and India.
Bangladesh registered three consecutive home series routs after sweeping Zimbabwe 5-0 towards the end of last year.
"It's going to be a tough tour for them (South Africa) with the crowd, the weather, the nature of the wickets and the way Bangladesh are playing. But it will be a great test of their character," Domingo said.
Domingo, who succeeded South Africa great Gary Kirsten as coach in 2013, noticed Bangladesh's recent adoption of aggressive cricket.
"Bangladesh have changed that mind set. They are playing a lot more aggressively. They've combined a new belief with a new set of skills which has made them much more effective and much more dangerous," said Domingo.
With a revamped seam attack, the hosts' bowlers now terrorise batsmen on home tracks that are gradually producing swing and bounce for pacers. But South Africa's pace battery is strong too, despite the absence of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander.
Pacemen Kyle Abbott, Chris Morris and Wayne Parnell have filled in for them.
"The wickets will be typical sub-continent wickets. They will know we also have four quicks and if they prepare wickets that are going to suit fast bowling, it plays very much into our hands," Domingo said.
Bangladesh scaled new heights shedding the minnows tag with a 3-0 thumping of Pakistan before prevailing 2-1 against India. They only lost the third ODI last week that ended their 10-match winning streak at home. They also rose to seventh in ODI rankings, leaving West Indies and Pakistan behind in a battle for the eighth spot and a berth in the 2017 Champions Trophy.