Visiting South African cricket team are taking their upcoming series against Bangladesh so seriously that they will be on their toes even during their only practice match of the tour scheduled at Fatullah today. All-rounder Jean Paul Duminy said on Thursday that he considers the series against Tigers does not start with the international Twenty20 on Sunday rather with today’s Twenty20 match against BCB XI. The visitors will start their campaign formally with the first of two Twenty20 international matches at the Sher-e-Bangla national stadium on Sunday. ‘For us the series starts tomorrow [today], don’t start for us on Sunday,’ said Duminy, one of the most important members of the side. ‘We know how important tomorrow’s [today] warm-up game is. ‘We would want to get the best out of the conditions we are going to face. Going into Sunday, then we will know we are well prepared,’ he added. Duminy hailed their opponents, who are below ranked to them but the recent success of Bangladesh, especially at home, does not allow the ambidextrous player and his team-mates to take their assignment casually. ‘There have been few changes. Bangladesh have played good cricket. We are not taking this lightly’, said the left-handed batsman.
‘Definitely the perception has changed in the last 1-2 years. They [Bangladesh team] are even more challenging in their own conditions,’ said the player who is also a handy right handed off-spin bowler.
South African cricket culture is different from that of sub-continent and they rely on their pacers but tournaments like Indian Premier League and international exposures helped many of their players accustomed with the condition, said Duminy.
The 31-year old cricketer, who is one of the regular participants of IPL, also acknowledged the fact and expressed his hope that those experiences will help them immensely.
‘We definitely are no strangers to this heat,’ he said.
‘It is going to take a few days to acclimatise. We have to manage ourselves well in practice,’ added Duminy.
‘Few of us have played in these conditions now for a number of years,’ said the man who has already played for four different IPL teams over the seasons.
‘It is just about getting used to the conditions and pace of the ball. If it is going to take a bit of turn, [we know] what is our game plan going to be.
‘We have to manage ourselves well in practice. Get enough fluids in and prepare accordingly. We have a great management staff which will give us best information that will serve us well.
‘I guess just discussing amongst ourselves, share the knowledge that we have and assessing what your game plans are against the various bowlers,’ revealed the seasoned campaigner.
-With New Age input