Du Plessis pleased with progress of the Proteas
South African captain Faf du Plessis conceded that tougher challenges lay ahead – but said a record win over Bangladesh had given his team confidence ahead of series against India and Australia later in the season.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada led a ruthless bowling performance as South Africa completed an innings and 254 run win midway through the third day of the second Test at Mangaung Oval yesterday to complete a crushing 2-0 series win.
Rabada took five for 30 as Bangladesh were bowled out for 172, a slight improvement on their first innings of 147 in reply to South Africa’s 573 for four declared.
“We had really good targets that we wanted to achieve in this series and we achieved those hands down,” Du Plessis said.
“It gives us a lot of confidence but we appreciate that India and Australia are going to be a lot tougher. Bangladesh possibly didn’t have the firepower that we thought they would have in these conditions.”
Du Plessis said big hundreds and important partnerships from the batsmen and a relentless bowling onslaught had been as much as could have been expected from the team.
“We appreciate that we’ve still got a lot of work to do to be the finished article but if we do get better we’ll be challenging for that [ICC] No 1 ranking again,” the captain added.
It was the biggest win in South Africa’s Test history, surpassing the innings and 229 run victory over Sri Lanka in Cape Town in 2000/01.
Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim was left with literal and figurative headaches. He took a blow on his batting helmet, in the region of his left temple, early in an innings of 26.
He crumpled to the ground and needed prolonged treatment on the field before resuming his innings.
After he was dismissed he went to hospital for a screening but returned for the post-match presentation.
The dismal performance of his team may be a longer-lasting headache, but Rahim said he did not intend to give up the captaincy. “It is up to the board,” he said.
“They gave me the honour and opportunity. They gave me the respect to lead the side. I tried my level best with honesty. If they are not satisfied they will take their decision.”