South Africa will be locking horns with the hosts Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series at Chittagong from 21 July, Tuesday. Having lost the ODI series to Bangladesh recently, the Proteas would be raring to go out on the field in the white jerseys and prove the point that they are the number one Test team in the world. Proteas speedster Dale Steyn was left out of the ODI and T20 series. However, he will be featuring in the Test matches and that has inspired coach Russell Domingo.
Steyn adds to the pace attack and he is usually the pace spearhead, ably backed by Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, who also will be featuring in the Test series. Domingo expressed his disappointment after losing the ODI series and felt that his side should have carried on with the winning momentum from the T20 matches in the ODIs.
"We have to move on. It was a disappointing finish to our one-day series after starting well in the T20's. We have eight new players here, which is always great; there is new energy, new ideas and some experience with guys like Dale (Steyn) joining the side. We have a big Test match starting in four days' time and we have to make sure that we are in top-notch for that match," Domingo said in an inteview to the official website of Cricket South Africa.
Domingo said that if South Africa manages to play professional and good all-round cricket, then victory against the hosts is imminent. They will have to maintain pressure on Bangladesh throughout in order to outsmart them at home. Pace being Proteas's main strength, Domingo feels that the spinners will also play a crucial role in these subcontinent picthes.
"We are going to have to play really well. Guys like Dale (Steyn), Morne (Morkel) and Vernon (Philander) haven't played cricket in a while, so starting the series well is going to be important. Runs on the board is always crucial in the sub-continent because in that way, you can apply pressure on the opposition. We know that it's going to be hard work for the seamers; weather conditions, overhead conditions, the nature of the wickets, the humidity, it all makes fast bowling a tough job."
"Our spinners are going to have to play a big role for us. The control that they give us in the game is of paramount importance, we need to be able to strike at key periods, the new-ball obviously presents an opportunity but reverse-swing is going to be a big thing for us with our fast bowlers," Domingo added.
