South African captain Aiden Markram is cautiously optimistic as his team prepares for the spin-heavy conditions they will face in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, starting October 21.
South Africa’s recent Test record in the subcontinent is bleak, with their last victory in the region coming in 2014 against Sri Lanka. Since then, the Proteas have played 14 Tests in the subcontinent without a win, losing 10 and drawing 4 rain-affected matches.
Aware of Bangladesh’s strong spin attack at home, Markram’s team has focused their preparations accordingly, employing six spinners and two pacers as net bowlers to simulate the expected slow, turning pitches. Markram acknowledged that despite recent trends of grassier pitches in Bangladesh, the hosts are likely to revert to spin-friendly surfaces for this series.
“Preparations have gone well. We had a solid campaign in South Africa, so we feel like we’re in a good space as a team,” Markram said. “Facing spin is a big talking point for us, especially coming from South Africa, but it’s an exciting challenge for our young side.”
Markram emphasised the team’s focus on adapting to unfamiliar conditions, viewing it as a valuable learning experience for future tours. He expressed confidence in South Africa’s improved ability to handle spin and emphasised the importance of sustained effort in Test cricket, hoping it will lead to a positive result.
“We’re quietly confident and believe in our skills to compete here,” Markram added.