'Tigers have to overcome fear'
Such has been the one-sided nature of the series that the talking point on both sides has become Bangladesh's performance on the South African tour. Yesterday, Proteas' batting coach Neil McKenzie sought to soften the criticism on the Tigers but also hinted that fear is a factor when playing in conditions like South Africa and Australia.
"It's hard coming to South Africa. A lot of subcontinent sides struggled in South Africa with that extra pace and bounce, although the pitches that they played on were not as fast as the ones in Centurion, Wanderers or SuperSport Park," McKenzie told reporters during his team's practice session at East London's Buffalo Park yesterday, the venue for the third and final ODI tomorrow.
"The biggest thing for them will be to tour in Australia or South Africa, get used to the bounce, quicker wickets and aggression factor. In the subcontinent you will find the spin challenge, but in South Africa or Australia you will face the aggression and fear factor about pace and bounce. That's the number one stepping stone that the Bangladeshi batsmen have to get over."
He was not inclined to be as harsh on the Bangladesh bowlers as others have been. "I don't think they were poor. They have some younger guys who bowled a few bumpers in the Tests where our batsmen had to duck. I think it's about maintaining pressure. I think there were too many easier options to score, like one bowler bowled well but his partner did not and released the pressure."
He also indicated that, with the series won through the 104-run win in Paarl on Wednesday, South Africa will bring some changes to the side for the dead rubber.
"We've got an opportunity for a few guys -- Hashim Amla is resting, he will spend time with his family, so there will be a change for Quinton de Kock up front. It's just another opportunity for someone to stake their claim.
"We will try to make it 3-0. We can't think that it will be easy. Bangladesh have proved over the last few years that they have played good cricket at times. They have beaten Australia in Tests recently. They have beaten South Africa in a series. So it's another challenging ODI for us. There will be no dead rubber and we will not take the game lightly."
Comments