South Africa now leads the way on 130 points, 19 points clear of second placed Australia, and irrespective of the outcome in this series and the ongoing Ashes, will remain in pole position. To say they might be a little bit rusty would be an understatement.
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In eight Tests, South Africa have won seven by an innings and another by five wickets inside four days. Bangladesh have been fantastic at home in recent times, having thrashed Zimbabwe in 2014, and then recording straight ODI series wins against Pakistan, India, and finally South Africa. Hopefully they forgot about their plight in these few minutes that they were with us signing autographs and interacting with the players. It certainly makes for an interesting narrative leading into the first Test. They watched the team train, and received ICPCN wristbands and NOW campaign cricket bats as they eagerly waited to meet the players. On the other hand, Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Dean Elgar, Reeza Hendricks, Simon Harmer, Dane Vilas, and Stiaan van Zyl are young and inexperienced. His stats aren’t as good as Van Zyl’s, but he has more experience in the role. Soumya Sarkar, who was Man of the Series in the ODIs against South Africa, also missed out. The side is a young one, with only Amla, Steyn, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Morne Morkel, and Vernon Philander being the senior members of the side.
Away from the selection headaches, South Africa simply have to worry about the senior batsmen finding some form.
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South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has a major milestone in sight, needing four scalps in the upcoming two-test series against Bangladesh to reach 400 wickets. After an impressive performance in One-day worldwide (ODI) series hosts Bangladesh will look to improve in Test format as well. But staying number one means winning in all conditions, despite the myriad of factors that influence Tests. Their record has been quite weak in the longest format of the game. The Proteas’ two-Test series against Bangladesh starts tomorrow. He is one of the most experienced players in the line-up and with Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander on the prowl, seeing off the new ball will be crucial.
