Bangladesh is a dangerous side when it comes to ODI cricket: Faf du Plessis

South African skipper Faf du Plessis is in no mood to be complacent ahead of their three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. The limited overs series will kick start on Octoer 15. Earlier, the hosts had thrashed team Bangladesh brutally in the Test series with a clean sweep 2-0 win. Now, with the ODI series coming round the corner, the pundits expect similar scoreline to follow.

However, as per the recent reports in the Dhaka Tribune, Faf du Plessis feels that Bangladesh are a very competent side when it comes to the limited overs. He cited the recent success of the Bangladeshi side in the Champions Trophy as a reason for his remarks. The South African skipper is ready for the challenge and feels the Test series win certainly puts them in a dominating position.

“I think Bangladesh have proven in white-ball cricket that they can perform outside of their own country, just as recently as the (2017) Champions Trophy where they have made the semi-finals. Their record in Test cricket away from home is completely different, but in white-ball cricket they have shown that they are a very dangerous side when it comes to one-day cricket. So, for us, obviously the Test match victory was nice and we dominated them, but we are expecting a completely different challenge in the one-dayers,” quoted Faf du Plessis.

On the conditions

The venue for the first ODI will be Kimberley. The recent fixtures played at the venue suggest that the wind comes in handy for the bowlers. Faf du Plessis spoke about the same and said that the batsmen will have to adapt to the wind. It is something that both teams will try to take the advantage of. He called the wind factor as a crucial thing.

“I think wind in general is not a nice thing for both teams. But you have to adapt to it. Especially from a strategic point of view it’s really important how you use the wind as a captain, also when you bat or bowl, how you use the wind to your advantage. I think that’s going to be a crucial thing, if it’s like this, which team make the best decisions with the wind in mind,” he mentioned.

Policy heading in to the ICC World Cup 2019

The Proteas camp have set up a long term vision with their upcoming fixtures. They are seeing these matches as their preparatory ground for the coveted ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 which will be played in England. Faf du Plessis has assumed captaincy in the format and the team has a new coach in Otis Gibson in the frame.

“Our policy over the next two years is to try and see if we can have a look at more players than we usually do. In the last two or three years we’ve been a very settled one-day unit. There’s not been a lot of guys who have been coming in, but we’ve got a vision two years ahead to try and look at players where we can see how we can grow in two years’ time where they can fit into the strongest XI in the World Cup side,” the South African captain concluded.