South Africa and Bangladesh clash in the first of three One Day Internationals this Sunday at the De Beers Diamond Oval.
After completely and utterly dominating the touring Bangladeshis in the Test segment of the series, the Proteas will want to maintain the intensity heading into the One Day Internationals.
At the very least, the Asians will be more competitive in the limited overs formats and will be bolstered by the return of Shakib Al Hasan. The Proteas, too, will welcome back a superstar in the form of AB de Villiers who will be keen to prove his worth in the wake of his self-exile from the Test side.
South Africa vs Bangladesh | Sunday 15 October | De Beers Diamond Oval, Kimberley | 10:00
To Win Match
South Africa 2/13 | Tie 50/1 | Bangladesh 9/2
South Africa
The South Africans really shouldn’t be losing any of these three One Day Internationals. They will have been buoyed further by the CSA XI’s victory over Bangladesh where both AB de Villiers and JP Duminy spent a bit of time out in the middle.
Neither were particularly electrifying, with Duminy stumped for 34 before de Villiers was caught behind, both men dismissed by the off-spin of Mahmudullah. Aiden Markram top scored for the XI with 82 as he looks to break into the ODI squad – something we’ll no doubt be discussing more of in the near future.
Back to the first ODI, and the Proteas are looking strong with the bat. Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla have forged an excellent partnership at the top of the order in the last year or two. With averages of 43.44 and 50.25, you’d struggle to find a better opening pair in ODI cricket at the moment.
De Villiers and Faf du Plessis make up the top order with David Miller, Duminy Farhaan Behardien and Andile Phelukwayo all more than capable of pushing on in the latter stages. We could even see Behardien left out in order to play Temba Bavuma as an extra specialist batsman. That would disrupt the balance of the side, though with Miller likely moving down to six in order to accommodate the Lions man.
We’re far more likely to see Miller at five with Duminy at six. The attack will contain Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell and Phelukwayo. That leaves Dane Paterson and Dwaine Pretorius to left to battle it out for the last spot. Bavuma and Behardien may well miss out, however, you’d expect to see everyone in the 14-man squad get a run at some point.
Bangladesh
The visitors will be lifted by the return of Shakib for the limited overs segment of the tour. The 30-year-old showed why he’s so important with an excellent performance against the CSA XI. His 67-ball 68 – along with Sabbir Rahman’s 52 – helped the Asians post a respectable 255.
The biggest worry for Chandika Hathurusingha will be the lack of conversion from his batsmen. While Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das failed to get into double figures, Imrul Kayes, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah all got decent starts but failed to kick on against an attack the was brilliantly led by Robbie Frylinck.
They’ll have their work cut out for them against a much stronger attack come Sunday and will be looking to the senior guys to get the bulk of the runs. All eyes on Muhmudullah, Shakib, Mushfiqur and Tamim Iqbal then.
Bowling wise, Mashrafe Mortaza will lead the attack. The veteran of 179 One Day Internationals will lend his considerable experience to the likes of Mustafizur Rahim Taskim Ahmed. The South Africans can expect to see plenty of spin. Mahmudullah, Shakib and Rahman will all be used extensively, whether or not they can strangle and all-star South African top and middle order is up for debate.
Verdict: South Africa 2/13
I don’t see the South Africans slipping up in Kimberley, despite losing their last two One Day Internationals at the ground. They’ve never lost in this format against Bangladesh (on home soil) and are tipped to continue that run of form on Sunday.
