The Hindu : Sport : ‘We have to adjust to the conditions’

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‘We have to adjust to the conditions’

DHAKA: Graeme Smith is aware that the tour of Bangladesh has more to offer to his South African team than simply an extension of its winning run.

South Africa plays two Tests against the host ahead of a tour of India in March.

Smith said that the sub-continent pitches, characteristically slow and aiding spin, would be a big challenge to his players and they needed to acclimatise quickly.

“We are used to playing in any condition,” Smith said. “But, we still have to work on a few things here, to adjust to the conditions and climate.”

On a roll

South Africa has won all four previous Tests against Bangladesh, the last being in 2003. The South Africans are on a roll, having won their last five Test series since a 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka in 2006. That sequence includes series wins at home over India, Pakistan, New Zealand and the West Indies, and a 1-0 win in Pakistan.

“We have come here after a successful home series,” Smith said Thursday. “We are looking forward to another good and successful series.”

Bangladesh has notched up only one win in 51 Tests.

Duminy for Gibbs

South Africa dropped Herschelle Gibbs, replacing him with left-hander Jean-Paul Duminy, while left-arm spinner Robin Peterson will stand in for the injured Paul Harris.

The first Test begins on February 22 in Dhaka and the second on February 29 in Chittagong.

The ODI matches will take place on March 9, 12 and 14. — AP

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