Zaahier Adams
“There is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time.”
This wise adage encapsulates the mindset of the South African cricket team, the Proteas, as they navigate their path towards the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Following New Zealand’s unexpected back-to-back Test victories in India, the Proteas now find themselves with a nearly unimpeded route to qualification, contingent upon their performance in the five remaining matches of the WTC cycle, starting with the second Test against Bangladesh today.
One down, more to go! 🏏🇿🇦
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 27, 2024
Proteas stand-in Test captain, Aiden Markram, breaks down our first Test victory of the Bangladesh series.
Let’s finish strong, Mzansi! 💪🇿🇦#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #BANvSA pic.twitter.com/lxEghvC06s
With a perfect win record across these encounters, the Proteas can secure their place in the grand final at Lord’s next year. Although this prospect is tantalising — a “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow”— captain Aiden Markram underlines the importance of focusing on the task at hand.
“It doesn’t add any pressure on us (qualification for the WTC final). I think it's an exciting opportunity. That's almost how we try to view it,” he remarked, indicating the team’s determination to embrace each match with enthusiasm.
“You are always trying to win games of cricket. We have five games left until we know what our fate is. Five Test matches is a lot of cricket to be played, so a lot can still happen. We will take it session by session and game per game.”
The Proteas are buoyed by their recent triumph in the first Test in Mirpur — significantly, their first Test victory in the subcontinent in a decade. Markram aims to harness this momentum, knowing that the foundation of success lies in a strong start in Chattogram.
“It was obviously a happy moment for us as a changeroom (the first win). But we obviously appreciate the opposition, especially Bangladesh now in their own conditions. We have no doubt it's going to be a tough game and, hopefully, we can back it up and keep that good energy and good vibes in the changeroom.”
Markram emphasised, “In terms of this game, it's a brand new game.
“Hopefully, we can start well again, and that’s not just here, but anywhere in the world, we feel that we can start on the front foot and we can then run through with momentum for the next five days.”
Key to achieving this goal is the top-order batsmen must step up their game. Despite a resounding seven-wicket win in the first Test at Mirpur, the team’s bowlers — both seamers and spinners — were the standout performers. A match-defining partnership of 119 for the seventh wicket between Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder, alongside a crucial 66-run contribution for the ninth, bolstered the Proteas’ first innings total to 308.
Markram acknowledged the top-order batting unit must rise to the occasion, as relying solely on lower-order contributions may not be sustainable.
“I suppose each batter in his own unique individual way needs to back his strengths and find a way to put the Bangladesh bowlers under some pressure, which will make run scoring easier and free-flowing,” he stated.
“We’ll have to assess how the wicket plays and the options we take on. All a player can do is back his strengths and hopefully it is your day.
“The discussions we’ve had as a batting unit, the top six is really hungry to contribute. Hopefully we can put our best foot forward.”