The top six batters of the South Africa are hungry
to put a good show in the second and final Test against Bangladesh after
failing to come up with terms in the first match, said its stand-in captain
Aiden Markram.
“Ultimately, believing in those players backing their strengths and back
their options. Discussions have been made as a batting unit, our top six are
really hungry to contribute,” Markram said ahead of second Test against
Bangladesh.
South Africa took 1-0 lead in the series following a seven-wicket victory but
their top six batters failed to make any significant contribution. They
eventually saved their face, thanks to No.7 batter Kyle Verreynne’s 114 and
No.8 batter Wiaan Mulder’s 54.
The duo shared 119-run for the seventh wicket partnership to help South
Africa compile 308, which was enough to seal the deal, given Bangladesh’s
first innings bating debacle.
“But I suppose, each batter has their individual unique way of backing their
strengths and finding a way to put the Bangladesh
bowlers under some pressure
and which will make scoring runs a little bit easier, a little more free
flowing,” he remarked.
“We’ll have to see how the wicket plays out as well in respect to each of our
options we try to find.”
The victory in the first Test, which was their first victory in this format
in the sub-continent since their 153-run win against Sri Lanka at Galle in
2014 suddenly put South Africa in the contention of the World Test
Championship (WTC) final.
A victory in the second Test, however, will bolster their chance final with
India already losing two Tests against New Zealand.
Markram said the possibility of playing the WTC final will not put them in
any necessary pressure.
“I mean I don’t think it really adds pressure for us. It’s just an exciting
opportunity that could be,” he said.
“So that’s almost how we’re trying to view it. Probably still need to win a
lot of the remaining matches and we’ve got five left until that. The five
Test matches are a lot of cricket to be played
. So that’s pretty much where
we are at now. We hopefully can go session by session, game by game. We
hopefully give ourselves a good chance. But yeah, excited about what could be
moving forward.”
Markram said a victory in the sub-continent after 10 years relieved them
ahead of the crucial second game.
“It was definitely reliving. Obviously it’s a happy moment for us in the
changing room. Good sides find ways to win consecutively and that’s been our
drive coming into this Test match, so hopefully we can put in another good
performance,” Markram said.
“We obviously always appreciate the opposition, especially Bangladesh in
their home conditions. No doubt it’s going to be a tough game for sure, but
we can back it up and keep the good energy and vibe in the change room.”
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha