Du Plessis gives short ball advice to Tigers

FAF DU PLESSIS is adamant Bangladesh can make the next step up in their progression as a Test side by having their batsmen conquer their fears over the short ball.

The South Africa captain was speaking after his team’s seam attack took 19 out of Bangladesh’s 20 wickets, as the Proteas wrapped up the series 2-0.

Du Plessis, who scored an unbeaten 135 in the host’s only innings, conceded that Bangladesh has fallen below his expectations after their recent good form with the red ball against England and Australia.

“The last year or two you could see they were a highquality Test team, so I expected a bigger fight,” said du Plessis. “I didn't expect them to win the series, but I expected there would be sessions in the game where we would have to be absorbing a bit of pressure because they do have skill.”

“But with that, you have to just say that our team did it better. If they tried to put pressure on us, we responded positively and aggressively and basically five or six overs after that we were back and dominating the game.”

Pacemen Duane Olivier and Kagiso Rabada shredded the nerves of the Bangladesh batsmen, with the latter seeing a delivery strike the helmet of Mominul Kayes and going on to hook the next delivery to the fielder on the deep.

“It’s simple but it’s hard because the bounce is uncomfortable,” Du Plessis commented. “You have to get rid of the fear of the short ball and once you have a good plan on how to counter that, then you will get better.”

South Africa’s dominance with the ball in the second Test will come as a welcome sign to du Plessis who tested inexperience in the face of the absent Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander.