SA to play a good, competitive cricket against Bangladesh: Graeme Smith
Friday, 15 February 2008
As they flew in in the city Thursday on a month-long tour, South Africa's skipper Graeme Smith said they would play a good and competitive cricket in both test and ODI series against Bangladesh to cheer the local fans, reports UNB.
"Each strong team in the world has to play a competitive cricket against Bangladesh as Bangladesh is a strong side," Smith told reporters on arrival at the Zia International Airport in the morning.
Citing their 67-run defeat against Bangladesh in the World Cup 2007 at the super-eight stage, Smith said Bangladesh won that match playing a good cricket. "For that we really respect Bangladesh," said Smith adding, "The respect will be much higher about Bangladesh as they are hosting the series."
The SA captain affirmed that their prime target here is to win both test and ODI series against Bangladesh as they showed a stunning performance in the last three series against Pakistan (Test 3-1 and ODI 3-2), New Zealand (Test 2-0 and ODI 3-1) and West Indies (Test 2-1 and ODI 5-0).
"Our team comprises some wonderful cricketers and they have pressure to do individually good in the ensuing series," he said.
Recalling the last visit to Bangladesh in 2003, the South African skipper said, "We played well in two test and two ODI series. We have a previous experience to play here and hope also to play a good cricket this time."
About the racist conflict in the team prior to the series Smith said, "It will not hamper the team's performance."
South Africa squad:
Graeme Smith (captain), Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Morne Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn.
Bangladesh-South Africa Warid Cricket Series.
"Each strong team in the world has to play a competitive cricket against Bangladesh as Bangladesh is a strong side," Smith told reporters on arrival at the Zia International Airport in the morning.
Citing their 67-run defeat against Bangladesh in the World Cup 2007 at the super-eight stage, Smith said Bangladesh won that match playing a good cricket. "For that we really respect Bangladesh," said Smith adding, "The respect will be much higher about Bangladesh as they are hosting the series."
The SA captain affirmed that their prime target here is to win both test and ODI series against Bangladesh as they showed a stunning performance in the last three series against Pakistan (Test 3-1 and ODI 3-2), New Zealand (Test 2-0 and ODI 3-1) and West Indies (Test 2-1 and ODI 5-0).
"Our team comprises some wonderful cricketers and they have pressure to do individually good in the ensuing series," he said.
Recalling the last visit to Bangladesh in 2003, the South African skipper said, "We played well in two test and two ODI series. We have a previous experience to play here and hope also to play a good cricket this time."
About the racist conflict in the team prior to the series Smith said, "It will not hamper the team's performance."
South Africa squad:
Graeme Smith (captain), Ashwell Prince, Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Morne Morkel, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn.
Bangladesh-South Africa Warid Cricket Series.