SA skipper Graeme Smith not taking Bangladesh lightly
Saturday, 16 February 2008
Prior to Bangladesh's home series on February 22, South Africa skipper Graeme Smith Friday said they are not taking Bangladesh lightly although the visitors are theoretically strong in papers, reports UNB.
"Bangladesh team comprised some talented players, whose abilities are above question," he said at a press conference at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).
Smith said: "We've also some match-winner young cricketers, who won the series against Pakistan for the firsttime after 27 years. I believe, they will again show their best in the ensuing series."
The local condition is absolutely different from that in South Africa, he said, but it would not hamper their performance.
Warning the local spinners, he said: "Although the subcontinent pitch favoured the spinners, but we have also some experienced cricketers who have the ability to handle the spin."
The South African captain, however, did not fail to praise the local spinners, who caused the major damage to the South African innings in the super-eight stage of the last World Cup in Guyana.
Famed spinner Mohammad Rafique, who plans to retire from international cricket after the test and ODI home series, again hoped to play good cricket against the visitors, as he had shown in Guyana against South Africa.
The veteran spinner said he wished to give his team something memorable in the series before going on retirement.
Rafique thinks if his fellow batters contribute some runs, then it would be easier for him to do well against South Africa.
About the absence of pacer Shaun Pollock in the team, Smith said this is a good chance for the youngsters to prove their best.
Earlier, in the morning, the visitors made practice at the SBNS ahead of the 3-day practice match against BCB XI beginning Sunday at Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (Fatulla).
"Bangladesh team comprised some talented players, whose abilities are above question," he said at a press conference at the Mirpur Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium (SBNS).
Smith said: "We've also some match-winner young cricketers, who won the series against Pakistan for the firsttime after 27 years. I believe, they will again show their best in the ensuing series."
The local condition is absolutely different from that in South Africa, he said, but it would not hamper their performance.
Warning the local spinners, he said: "Although the subcontinent pitch favoured the spinners, but we have also some experienced cricketers who have the ability to handle the spin."
The South African captain, however, did not fail to praise the local spinners, who caused the major damage to the South African innings in the super-eight stage of the last World Cup in Guyana.
Famed spinner Mohammad Rafique, who plans to retire from international cricket after the test and ODI home series, again hoped to play good cricket against the visitors, as he had shown in Guyana against South Africa.
The veteran spinner said he wished to give his team something memorable in the series before going on retirement.
Rafique thinks if his fellow batters contribute some runs, then it would be easier for him to do well against South Africa.
About the absence of pacer Shaun Pollock in the team, Smith said this is a good chance for the youngsters to prove their best.
Earlier, in the morning, the visitors made practice at the SBNS ahead of the 3-day practice match against BCB XI beginning Sunday at Narayanganj Osmani Stadium (Fatulla).