When Bangladesh take the field in the second Castle Lager Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park today, they will be hoping to avoid yet another innings defeat.
When Bangladesh take the field in the second Castle Lager Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park today, they will be hoping to avoid yet another innings defeat.
They lost the first Test in Bloemfontein by an innings and 129 runs, adding to the long tally of innings defeats in their Test history.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith said the International Cricket Council was committed to building cricket, but he believed the only way to grow the game was if matches were competitive.
"There's a big debate about the different formats of the game now - what's going to stay and what's going to go, and as long as you've got successful series, everything will be good, every format will be successful.
"The statistic that really worries me is that in their 56 Tests, they have lost 32 by an innings," said Smith on the eve of the Test. In 56 Tests, you've got to start developing as a team. I haven't seen them progress. It must be frustrating for their coaches.
"I'd love to see them grow and get strong. It would be good for the game. But the question is, how long do you wait? I think the ICC has a challenge with the minnow teams."
Smith said there was no difficulty in motivating the team for the second Test: "We have the tour to Australia coming up, and we want to keep progressing and improving."
Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons conceded Bangladesh had an uphill battle, partly because of the frequent changes to the Bangladesh cricket board and to the coaching staff.
"There has not been enough sticking to players with talent," he said. "But things are different now, and there are some players who can become world-class players, like the captain, Mohammad Ashraful."
SQUADS
South Africa - Graeme Smith (capt), Ashwell Prince (vice capt), Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Monde Zondeki.
Bangladesh - Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Abdur Razzak, Zunaeed Siddique, Mehrab Hossain, Naeem Islam, Raqibul Hasan, Shahadat Hossein, Tamim Iqbal, Mushrafe Mortaza, Imrul Kayes, Mahbubul Alam, Nazmul Hossain, Sajidul Islam, Shakib al Hasan. - Sapa
Smith criticises Bangladesh
When Bangladesh take the field in the second Castle Lager Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park today, they will be hoping to avoid yet another innings defeat.
When Bangladesh take the field in the second Castle Lager Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park today, they will be hoping to avoid yet another innings defeat.
They lost the first Test in Bloemfontein by an innings and 129 runs, adding to the long tally of innings defeats in their Test history.
Proteas captain Graeme Smith said the International Cricket Council was committed to building cricket, but he believed the only way to grow the game was if matches were competitive.
"There's a big debate about the different formats of the game now - what's going to stay and what's going to go, and as long as you've got successful series, everything will be good, every format will be successful.
"The statistic that really worries me is that in their 56 Tests, they have lost 32 by an innings," said Smith on the eve of the Test. In 56 Tests, you've got to start developing as a team. I haven't seen them progress. It must be frustrating for their coaches.
"I'd love to see them grow and get strong. It would be good for the game. But the question is, how long do you wait? I think the ICC has a challenge with the minnow teams."
Smith said there was no difficulty in motivating the team for the second Test: "We have the tour to Australia coming up, and we want to keep progressing and improving."
Bangladesh coach Jamie Siddons conceded Bangladesh had an uphill battle, partly because of the frequent changes to the Bangladesh cricket board and to the coaching staff.
"There has not been enough sticking to players with talent," he said. "But things are different now, and there are some players who can become world-class players, like the captain, Mohammad Ashraful."
SQUADS
South Africa - Graeme Smith (capt), Ashwell Prince (vice capt), Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Monde Zondeki.
Bangladesh - Mohammad Ashraful (capt), Abdur Razzak, Zunaeed Siddique, Mehrab Hossain, Naeem Islam, Raqibul Hasan, Shahadat Hossein, Tamim Iqbal, Mushrafe Mortaza, Imrul Kayes, Mahbubul Alam, Nazmul Hossain, Sajidul Islam, Shakib al Hasan. - Sapa
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