South Africa is determined to win the second and final test against Bangladesh starting on Thursday after winning the first test by a huge margin.
”We are keen to win the second test by a big margin too,” said Graeme Smith, South Africa’s youngest-ever captain, basking in the innings and 60 runs victory of his debut test last week.
”We are always hungry for a win,” said the 22-year-old Smith on Wednesday before net practice at Dhaka’s Bangabandhu National Stadium, where the final match of the two-test series will be played.
His strategy will be to ”keep the opponents always under pressure”.
He also had some words of advice for Bangladesh.
”There were some flashes of individual brilliance, but if Bangladeshi players are to succeed they have to be more united in their effort.â€
Even though South Africa is yet to finalise its team for the second test, unnamed sources say rookie pace bowler Charl Willoughby may be dropped in favour of left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, considering the slow pitch.
Bangladesh looks to its middle-order batsmen — Mohammad Ashraful, Alok Kapali and Akram Khan — to ditch their poor form and help the top-order put up a strong fight to achieve at least a draw.
Bangladesh’s top order started solidly in both innings of the first test, but the middle order was not up to the mark.
”We are determined to turn around and put up a strong fight in the final test,” said Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud.
”Our biggest worry now is about the middle-order batsmen.”
Bangladeshi batsmen have so far failed to perform in test cricket because they don’t have the right attitude, the team’s coach said on Tuesday.
”I don’t think our batsmen are mentally ready to play test cricket,” said coach Sarwar Imran. ”The boys also lack patience … for long periods.”
The first test in southern Chittagong city ended before lunch of the fourth day on Sunday when Bangladesh lost the last five wickets in just 55 minutes, with 185-5 to 237 all out in its second innings.
That was Bangladesh’s third consecutive test match defeat at the hands of South Africa, after being crushed 2-0 in its home series in October last year.
For the second test Bangladesh is likely to include left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique in place of another spinner, Enamul Haq, who made no impression in the first test.
Bangladesh has lost 17 of the 18 matches — 11 of them by an innings — it has so far played since gaining test status in 2000.
One test against Zimbabwe ended in a draw because of rain. – Sapa