South Africa v Bangladesh: ODI Series Preview

How things could be vastly different in this series with a much better Bangladesh coming to SA. 

They not only have a competitive side to take on South Africa with a talented pace attack which they will need but over the last 14 months, they have had series victories against the West Indies and Sri Lanka. It is why I anticipate the series being closer than most might expect. In the following, I will look at the players to watch. 

Bangladesh will know they can beat South Africa, as they did that most recently in the 2019 World Cup. 

South Africa. in the meantime, did have a good series victory against India but over the last 12 months they also lost series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, so there is plenty of room for improvement for them. The truth for them is there is still some imbalance in the side and the right XI has not yet been found. They will be relieved the 50 over World Cup is happening only next year.

Of course, the other bonus for Bangladesh is they have a South African coach in former Protea’s coach Russell Domingo as their head coach and Allan Donald as the bowling coach, so they know what is required to win in South Africa.

Janneman Malan

His struggles against spin are well known, even if he has improved in that department but he will be glad he will be batting in the batting conditions of his own country. In this current super league, his numbers are very impressive with four scores of over 50 in 7 innings and he averages 84.83. If South Africa is going to have a successful series, you will feel this form will have to continue.

Rassie van Der Dussen

Rassie is an amazing cricketer in this format, and you could argue he is the best batter that South Africa has now. His most important asset is his ability to build his innings, often starting it slowly and then going through the gears when needed, whether setting or chasing a total. His series against India where he made a magnificent 129* went a long way in securing the series win. His ability to score runs on a consistent basis shows his powers are strong.

Lungi Ngidi

Fitness was an issue for Lungi and Proteas fans coming into this season with a lack of cricket behind him due to a previous injury. However, he is a huge player for South Africa and was determined to prove a point to many of his critics. His spells in the opening powerplay in this format have been vital. He is the most important bowler for the team as he gets them off to a good start. He also has just come off an extraordinarily successful series against India where he caused them all sorts of problems, so he is in form.

Mustafizur Rahman

He is yet to play ODIs in South Africa, but he is easily Bangladesh’s best pace bowler and will be one that the South African batters will be keeping an eye on. His use of the slower ball, with a variety of them in his arsenal, is a lethal wicket-taking weapon. He is also particularly good when bowling at the death with a genuinely good yorker when it is needed. If South Africa can see him off without too much trouble, it will win the series.

Shakib Al Hasan

He is the most experienced player, which is why he is vital if Bangladesh is going to have any chance in this series. His numbers of over 6000 ODI runs, and 200 wickets are comparable with the likes of Shahid Afridi, Jacques Kallis and Sanath Jayasuriya but not always appreciated in the media as he is a Bangladesh cricketer. That said, he is ranked the ICC leading all-rounder, so he is a quality cricketer. His batting though will be the asset that he will enjoy the most on the highveld. The fact he is available for the tour after reports that he was not coming will be a huge boost for the side.

Mushfiquir Rahim

In the last six innings he has played he has made two scores of over 80 and one over 100. Rahim, as former captain and still the current wicketkeeper, is the engine room of the side; where he does well the team usually does. He is also a man in prime form, so in a good space to score runs in South Africa. He is not a big hitter like Shakib, but he is an incredibly good runner between the wickets and rotates the strike very well.

Recent Form

Bangladesh have won 10 of their last 15 ODIs against all opponents 

South Africa have won 10 of their last 15 ODIs against all opponents

Pitches

Wanderers and Centurion are the best batting pitches in the country, so expect to see many runs on them. In the last 3 ODIs played at these grounds in 2021, there were only two scores of under 300 and South Africa in two of those games managed 342 and 320. Interestingly, of the 17 wickets to fall in the Centurion game 10 went to spinners. So Shakib might have a say.

Stats

Quinton De Kock has 422 runs with an average of 52.22 at the Wanderers 

Kagiso Rabada has 12 wickets with an average of 24.42 at the Wanderers 

Quinton De Kock has 709 runs with an average of 70.90 at the Centurion 

Wayne Parnell has 23 wickets with an average of 17.61 at the Centurion

Temba Bavuma is 48 short of 700 ODI runs 

Quinton De Kock on 5584 ODI runs is 23 short of Marlon Samuels 

Wayne Parnell is 6 short of 100 ODI wickets

Squads

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (capt), Keshav Maharaj (vice-capt), Quinton de Kock (wk), Zubayr Hamza, Marco Jansen, Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne.

Bangladesh ODI squad: Tamim Iqbal (c), Khaled Ahmed, Nasum Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Yasir Ali, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Shakib Al Hasan, Afif Hossain Dhrubo, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk & vc), Mustafizur Rahman, Najmul Hossain Shanto.