The first of two test matches between South Africa and Bangladesh gets under way at Kingsmead, Durban on Thursday and we look at the squads, recent form and selected betting markets.
Bangladesh won the recently concluded ODI series between the sides 2-1, winning the first and third contests of the series. We now have two test matches, the first at Kingsmead and the second at St Georges and we begin with the squads.
All of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram are absent for the Proteas as they are playing in the IPL.
South Africa: Dean Elgar (capt), Temba Bavuma (vice-capt), Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo
Bangladesh are without Shakib Al Hasan who returned home for family reasons after the ODI's and they will choose from the following squad.
Bangladesh: Mominul Haque (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Yasir Ali, Taijul Islam, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Shohidul Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shadman Islam, Nurul Hasan
Recent Form
South Africa
South Africa were in New Zealand in February and after being thrashed by an innings and 276 runs in the first test they showed great character to claim a draw with a 198 run victory in the second test.
The Proteas hosted India in a 3 match series over Christmas and New Year and although they lost the first test by 113 runs they fought back for a series win, winning the second match by 7 wickets and the decider by the same margin.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh were in New Zealand at the turn of the year. They sprang a surprise to win the first test by 8 wickets but lost the second by an innings and 117 runs and the series ended 1-1.
Towards the end of 2021 they were beaten 2-0 at home by Pakistan, losing the first test by 8 wickets and the second by an innings and 8 runs.
Recent Head to Head
Overall 12 test matches between these teams have delivered 10 wins for the Proteas and 2 draws.
The most recent series came in South Africa in 2017 and the Proteas were 2-0 winners, taking the first test by 333 runs and the second by an innings and 254 runs.
Kingsmead, Durban
Over the course of the last decade South Africa have won just 1, drawn 1 and lost 3 of 5 test matches in Durban.
The most recent test came in February 2019 and Sri Lanka somehow got up to win a thriller by 1 wicket.
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The Betting - 1st Test Match
At the time of writing South Africa are 11/20 to win the match with the draw at 7/2 and Bangladesh are 9/2
Dean Elgar is trading at around 9/4 to top score for South Africa in the first innings, Temba Bavuma is 7/2.
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
The Verdict
Bangladesh were excellent in the first test against New Zealand earlier this year and the test squad will take heart from the ODI team winning their series.
Meanwhile the Proteas are well below strength and especially so in the bowling department. Their series in NZ went the opposite way to that of Bangladesh, a heavy defeat followed by a comeback so they will want to hit the ground running.
Durban should see plenty of turn although how much of it there will be in the first few days is tough to gauge.
I'll go with Duanne Olivier to be top bowler for the home side in the first innings and I'll look for a Dean Elgar 50 in the first knock.
Bets: Top SA wicket taker 1st Innings Duanne Olivier at 28/10
To score a 50 in the 1st Innings, Dean Elgar? (yes) at 7/4
Note all prices are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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