Chittagong - Chittagong is regarded as the more subdued of the two major cities in Bangladesh, but the Proteas will not be able to pack their bags quickly enough to make the short journey back to the bustling capital, Dhaka.
The past fortnight in this portside town has not been the most memorable, particularly on the field, for the South Africans. The Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium will forever be the venue where they suffered the ignominy of a first-ever One-Day International series defeat to Bangladesh.
And now to compound matters, the players - bar Dale Steyn, of course, who saw fit like only he does to go out in the monsoon rains to play football barefoot in a nearby park with a group of kids on Friday - have been confined to their hotel rooms for two successive days as the first Test petered out to a tame draw on Saturday.
Considering that the majority of the Proteas had taken the first two days of this Test to shake off the rust of not playing the longest format of the game for the past seven months, the timing of the rain that started on Thursday afternoon, and which hasn’t relented, would’ve even been more frustrating. There’s no doubt that the home team would be the happier of the two changerooms as it was the first time the Bangladeshis had not suffered a defeat within four days to the Proteas, let alone registering a maiden draw.
There are further statistical anomalies like registering a first-ever total of 300-plus against South Africa and earning a first-innings lead for only the second time. There seems just to be an extra little spring in the Tigers’ steps after competing with the world’s No 1 team for three days, especially noticeable by opening batsman Imrul Kayes’ comments to a TV station.
“Overall, had there been a five-day game we would have had a positive result because we dominated this Test quite well,” he said. “I think we are unlucky that it didn’t happen. I think this is a positive side for Bangladesh cricket.” With his usual diplomacy, Proteas captain Hashim Amla just offered a wry smile when told about Kayes’ bold statements. But Amla certainly only had worthy praise for his opponents and believed the SA public should acknowledge Bangladesh’s growing status as a cricket nation too. “I don’t think the Bangladesh team of old would have beaten Pakistan, India and New Zealand,” Amla said. “I do think, from a public perspective, they have to be given more respect than they are probably being afforded because they have beaten some good teams, especially at home.
“In Test cricket they are also developing quite well, and in many ways I have heard many people say they could be the upcoming Sri Lanka. We are also a Test team in transition.” The skipper’s final statement has a great degree of significance, too, for the team he now leads may still be ranked No 1 in the world, but barely bears any resemblance to the group of players that initially earned the title.
It is no doubt that Amla and the management group, headed by coach Russell Domingo, are responsible for getting new players like opener Stiaan van Zyl, middle-order batsman Temba Bavuma, wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock, spinner Simon Harmer and the quartet of uncapped players within the squad up to the expected level of a top-performing team. However, while this is of course possible due to the talent available, it will take a certain amount of time as the young players gain experience in pressure situations and adapt to the varying conditions around the world.
With this in mind, Amla has therefore seen enough from his youngsters in this curtailed Test to approach the final match of the tour in Dhaka with confidence.
“We come here as being the best Test team in the world and we certainly pride ourselves on beating Bangladesh, if time permits,” he said. “But if someone was new to cricket, if you had to look at our slip cordon, you might have to wonder who is there. I think the Test team is more in transition now.” “But if you look at our new openers, Stiaan and Dean did a good job for us. And the way they gave us good starts, we can’t ask for more from them.
“Simon also bowled really well. He has only played two Test matches and now picked up 10 wickets already, so that’s a good showing for a guy who has just come into the team. “Going forward there has been a need for someone who can do a job for us and he seems to be doing it.”
Weekend Argus