SA batting coach McKenzie: Bangladesh have to play as a group

South Africa batting coach Neil McKenzie said Bangladesh batsmen have to play as a group rather than one or two individuals to beat a team like South Africa away from home. “It’s hard coming to South Africa. A lot of sub-continent sides struggled in South Africa with that extra pace and bounce. I thought our bowlers really came hard against the Bangladesh batsmen throughout the Test and ODI series so far. There is some good performances, like Mushfiqur’s [Rahim] hundred (at De Beers Diamond Oval) in Kimberley. And there were a couple of fifties (at Boland Park) in Paarl. So there were good signs for Bangladesh. But when you are playing against South Africa away, then one or two performance is not enough. You need the whole squad to step up and play good cricket,” said McKenzie during the Proteas’ practice session at Buffalo Park Friday.

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McKenzie also emphasised on the importance of touring South Africa or Australia more often to get used with the extra pace and bounce. “A lot of batsmen in Bangladesh side are young and trying to establish themselves in international cricket. I don’t think they have traveled Australia or South Africa enough. I think the biggest thing of them will be to tour in Australia or South Africa, get used to the bounce, quicker wickets and aggression factor,” he said.

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“In sub-continent you will find the spin challenge. But in South Africa or Australia you will face the aggression and fear factor about pace and bounce. That’s the number one stepping stone that the Bangladeshi batsmen have to get over,” he explained. While talking about Bangladesh’s bowling performance throughout the tour McKenzie once again said they will only learn after touring South Africa often. “I don’t think bowling was poor. They have some younger guys who bowled a few bouncers in the Tests where our batsmen had to duck and dive. So they can definitely mix it. I think it’s about maintaining the pressure. Having three or four pacers who can hold the job and do the job consistently is the key,” he said.

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“If you are looking into the Test side, then it’s about holding the pressure. I think there were too many easier options of scoring for us. Like one bowler bowled well but his partner did not bowl well and released the pressure. So I think it has to be used to these conditions and getting more and more tours here. “More tours can be like U-19 tours, more Academy tours, more sort of Bangladesh A team tours. That can be the solution of getting used to these conditions and playing better in future,” he concluded.