South Africa vs Bangladesh 1st Test Preview & Tips - Bangladesh to struggle in Test series opener

Their batting unit struggled in the first Test against the Aussies, but they came roaring back in the second and third Tests. Indeed, they only needed to bat once in the second Test on the way to a winning score of 425/9 declared, while they scored 329 and 387 in the third Test as their bowlers impressed across the series. 

Now, attention turns to a series they know they should win comfortably. Six consecutive wins over Bangladesh have come by 333 runs, an innings and 254 runs, by 220 runs, by 332 runs, by seven wickets and by an innings and 273 runs. These huge winning margins shows that the Proteas have been well clear of their opponents, with Bangladesh yet to win a Test against their opponent. 

Temba Bavuma continues to showcase his value to South Africa's run scoring and I predict that he will impress in the first Test. He currently averages over 50.00 in Tests against Bangladesh, and he is my pick to score at least a half century in the first innings. 

However, their innings and 85-run loss to Zimbabwe was the start of a run of one win across six matches. While they did beat Australia by nine wickets in this time, they have lost to the Aussies by 51 runs, drawn with Afghanistan and the West Indies and lost once to the Windies. 

While Bangladesh have continually shown that they can challenge the better sides, consistency still evades them. Their clash with the Windies saw Bangladesh restricted to 272 and 142 in the first Test as they were beaten by eight wickets. They were also unable to restrict the Windies in the second Test as their opponent scored 356 and 398/6 declared. While they did secure a draw in that test, it was a chance to win a game that evaded them once again. 

Against South Africa, Bangladesh have to impress with bat and ball. South Africa are the type of side that will exploit any weakness in an opponent's armour, and I predict that Bangladesh's issues with consistency will cost them in this one as their long wait for a Test win over the Proteas goes on.