South Africa's captain Aiden Markram watches the ball after playing a shot during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between Bangladesh and South Africa at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka The Proteas will need to pile on the runs in the second Test against Bangladesh, says stand-in skipper Aiden Markram.
Image: Tanvim Tamim/AFP
With qualification for the World Test Championship (WTC) final on the line, there’s everything to play for in the second Test against Bangladesh for the Proteas and stand-in skipper Aiden Markram.
If results go their way, the Proteas have a real chance of making the WTC final, after England and India both fell to defeats in the last week.
But before the Proteas can even think of the ultimate prize of playing in the final at Lord’s next year June, there’s the little matter of seeing off the Bangladeshis on their home turf.
The second Test began in Chattogram on Tuesday, with South Africa 1-0 up in the two-match series.
Though the Proteas were comprehensive winners in the first Test, with the exception of centurion Kyle Verreynne and Wiaan Mulder the majority of the SA batsmen failed to pile on the runs as they were bowled out for 308 in the first innings.
Though they managed a 202-run lead in that first innings, it still left a tricky chase in the fourth innings which could have easily gone badly for the tourists.
"The discussions that we've had as a batting unit is that the top six are really hungry to contribute. Starting tomorrow, hopefully, we can put our best foot forward. Ultimately (we need to) just score runs," Markram, who is standing in for the injured Temba Bavuma as captain, told SportsBoom.com.
"I suppose it's each batter in their own individual and unique way, backing their strengths and finding a way to put the Bangladesh bowlers under some pressure which will make run-scoring a little bit easier and a little bit more free-flowing.”
"Ultimately all you can do as a player is to back your strengths, back your options and you hope it's your day."