SA vs BAN | 1st Test | Preview, Predictions, Probable XI, Fantasy XI

South Africa and Bangladesh will go head-to-head in a two-match Test series, scheduled to commence on March 31 at Kingsmead, Durban.


As the three ODIs came to a close, Bangladesh recorded their first-ever series win in South Africa. The side has emerged as a fierce competitor so far on this tour and will be eyeing to continue its domination over the hosts.

While Bangladesh are going in with a full-strength unit, South Africa walks in with a depleted squad as a few of their essential Test members miss out on the national duty due to the IPL commitments. 

Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi have joined their respective IPL franchises and will not be available for the upcoming Bangladesh series.

Both the sides have tasted success in their last red-ball series. The Proteas emerged victorious against a formidable Indian outfit, making a comeback from behind and beating them 2-1. 

Bangladesh as well achieved a historic feat in January this year and claimed a Test match win at Bay Oval against New Zealand. However, they suffered a loss in the next game, and the series ended 1-1.

Match Details:

South Africa vs Bangladesh, 1st Test

Date and Time- March 31, 2022, 1:30 PM IST

Venue- Kingsmead, Durban

Broadcast- Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV

Pitch Report

The pitch at Kingsmead, Durban, has been the bowlers' hunting ground as the red ball does the talking throughout the match. With a considerable amount of help available for the bowlers, batters would not have a good time at the wicket.

Squads:

South Africa 

Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo

Bangladesh 

Mominul Haque, Khaled Ahmed, Taskin Ahmed, Yasir Ali, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Nurul Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Tamim Iqbal, Shadman Islam, Shohidul Islam, Shoriful Islam, Taijul Islam, Abu Jayed Rahi, Mushfiqur Rahim, Najmul Hossain Shanto

Probable Playing XI:

South Africa 

Dean Elgar (c), Sarel Erwee, Keegan Petersen, Temba Bavuma, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Duanne Olivier, Lutho Sipamla, Lizaad Williams

Bangladesh 

Tamim Iqbal, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (c), Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Taijul Islam, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam

CE Fantasy XI:

Sarel Erwee, Dean Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Keegan Peterson, Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, Mominul Haque, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier

Captain- Dean Elgar

Vice-captain- Shakib Al Hasan

Discover more
Top Stories
news

IPL 2022 | Bhanuka Rajapaksa tags Virat Kohli as 'Cristiano Ronaldo' of cricket

Stylish Sri Lankan batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa lit up the Indian Premier League (IPL) in his very first outing for the Punjab Kings (PBKS) against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday. Batting at three during a 206-run chase, Rajapaksa smashed a 22-ball 44 with the help of two fours and as many as four sixes. Once again, it led to the discussions around his repeated omission from the national side. Back in January, Rajapaksa shocked the cricket world when he announced retirement from international cricket, following repeated omissions from the Lankan side due to fitness issues. He did take the resignation but still didn't find a place in the squad for the Indian tour. The IPL is the greatest platform for any international or local cricketer to make a mark at the global level, and Rajapaksa is determined to learn and grow by spending time with some of the greats of the game, including Virat Kohli. Virat is the gold standard in the modern era as far as fitness is concerned. Referring to Kohli as the 'Cristiano Ronaldo', Rajapaksa is determined to seek advice from the former Indian captain. "Outside of the team, Virat Kohli is always someone I could speak to and get some advice on fitness. He's at another different level when it comes to fitness," Rajapaksa told PTI. "To me, he is the Cristiano Ronaldo of cricket for sure. The work he puts in you can obviously see the results. You can compare him to anyone when it comes to fitness or even skills-wise. He plays so hard and you can learn a lot by talking to him," he added. On the fitness over skill debate, Rajapaksa said that the latter is most important for him but conceded that one cannot succeed at the elite level without possessing peak fitness. "As a player, you need your fitness but it could be different from person to person. For me, of course, skill comes first. And then the fitness, but if you are not fit enough you definitely can't perform," the Sri Lankan cricketer concluded. Rajapaksa will be determined to continue with the good work in the forthcoming games and ensure he stakes a permanent claim in the starting XI for PBKS and Sri Lanka.

news

Rohit, Virat slip further in Test rankings, Ashwin now 2nd amongst all-rounders

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and ex-captain Virat Kohli moved down to the 8th and 10th spot, respectively, in the latest ICC Test rankings for batters released on Wednesday. Rohit accumulated 754 points, while Kohli has 742 rating points to his name. Meanwhile, Usman Khawaja's stunning form in Australia's impressive Test series victory over Pakistan has helped him jump to number seven and attain his career-best rankings. The left-hand batsman leapfrogged David Warner, Rishabh Pant, Kohli and Rohit to clinch his spot. Also, England skipper Joe Root has slipped to the number four slot with 843 points, while Australia's premier batsman Steve Smith and New Zealand's Kane Williamson take up the second and third spot respectively in a list led by Marnus Labuschagne with 892 points. ICC Test ranking for bowlers: India's star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has bridged the gap with top-ranked bowler Pat Cummins, who leads the chart with 901 points. Ashwin takes the second spot with 850 points, while South African spearhead Kagiso Rabada occupies third place with 835 points, followed by India's strike-bowler Jasprit Bumrah, now at the fourth place with 830 points. ICC Test ranking for all-rounders: West Indies star all-rounder Jason Holder has been replaced by Ashwin for 2nd place with 341 points. However, Holder moved to the third spot with 336 points in the charts, led by India's premium all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja with 385 points.