Spin bowling won South Africa’s first Test against Bangladesh at Kingsmead on Monday, but captain Dean Elgar said he still prefers to attack opponents with fast bowling.
There was no change in the bowling of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj and off-spinner Simon Harmer as Bangladesh were all out for 53, helping South Africa win by 220 runs.
Maharaj took 7 for 32 and Harmer took 3 for 21 as Bangladesh’s last seven wickets fell in just 55 minutes on Monday morning.
South Africa were without their entire front-line fast bowling attack, with Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Enrique Nortje and Marco Jensen all signed up with Indian Premier League teams.
Elgar said that the circumstances at Kingsmead determined the spin option.
Elgar said, “Even if IPL players were available, Keshav and Harmy would have bowled most of our overs.
Elgar praised the “pure skill level and intensity and consistency” of the two spinners, who combined to take 14 wickets in the match.
But he added: “It’s not the style of cricket we’re used to, or that we want to play. I think it shows a lot of character … that we have the resources to adapt. We still have the resources to adapt to those conditions.” Where you play with three fast bowlers, one all-rounder and one spinner. Fast bowling is our main source of attack.”
Bangladesh skipper Mominul Haque is shocked by the fall of his batsmen against the way he is used to bowling.
“We are used to playing spin in Bangladesh and we also know that spinners work (in Durban),” he said in the post-match presentation.
Mominul said Bangladesh had batted “really well” at 298 in the first innings, but played too many loose shots in the second innings and failed to build partnerships.
Mominul said losing three for 11 in the final over on Sunday was crucial. “We didn’t look for results, we just tried to play the last season. Unfortunately we lost three wickets.”
Bangladesh captain won the toss and defended his decision to send South Africa to bat. “Our fast bowlers are doing very well and there was moisture in the wicket.”
Mominul praised the effort of his bowlers in both the innings but said allowing South Africa’s last two wickets to add 69 runs in the first innings proved costly.
Elgar said that his decision to open the bowling with two spinners on Sunday evening is in line with his captaincy style.
“I am trying to expose my players and introduce them to the way they play Test cricket. It’s about playing positive, ruthless cricket, taking bold decisions and pushing players out of their comfort zones. That was purely a visceral experience of mine. ,
Elgar, however, said it lacked intensity when South Africa’s batting was bowled out for 204 in the second innings.
“Test cricket demands intensity whether you have the bat in your hand or the ball in your hand. Perhaps it was the inexperience of the players who were not fully familiar with the role. Now people have tasted Test cricket and what is its demand.
The second and final Test begins on Friday in Gakbarah, east of Port Elizabeth.
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