Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
As a fan who loves a contest, surely I’m not the only one who’s glad Bangladesh’s tour of South Africa is over.
However, some of South Africa’s achievements were so incredible that I couldn’t help talk about. Bangladesh, after entering South Africa full of hope, exit the country wondering what on earth happened over the last month or so.
The series was full of extraordinary numbers, and here are some of my favourites:
10 balls
Difference in balls between David Miller’s hundred and Richard Levi’s previous record. After a scratchy start, where he could have been out three times in the first 10 minutes of his innings, ‘killer’ Miller went absolutely crazy, doing what every South African has done in the series so far – show Bangladesh no mercy.
12 balls
The number of deliveries it took for Miller to go from 51 to 100. He was particularly harsh on Mohammad Saifuddin, who went for 31 in the penultimate over of the innings. The first five balls went for sixes.
Hundred from lower than no. 4
The records don’t stop there for David Miller.
Miller became the first batsman ever in T20Is to score a century from a batting position lower than no.4. He broke Corey Anderson’s record of 94, which was set earlier this year, also against Bangladesh.
7-0
South Africa’s dominance over Bangladesh across three formats this series. In over a month of cricket, only one time did I think Bangladesh could win a game – during their chase in the first T20I.
2,739 runs at an average of 83 runs per wicket
South Africa’s batting statistics across the Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
Not once were South Africa worried about Bangladesh’s bowling, and more importantly, all of their key batsmen have had good hit outs ahead of more challenging series.
Hashim Amla, one batsman who had a great time v Bangladesh, scored 580 runs across the three formats at an average of 96.67.
224
The most runs conceded by Bangladesh in a T20I.
Can’t remember the last time Bangladesh struggled this much with the ball on a tour. Lots of work to do for Courtney Walsh and co.
5.50
Shakib Al Hasan’s economy rate in 4 overs (2/22).
The rest of his teammates conceded 202 runs in 16 overs.
8 straight
After their historic win over Australia in Dhaka in August, Bangladesh have now lost eight straight international matches.
This is their worst run of losses since 2014, where they lost nine matches in a row across all formats in February-March.
South Africa’s dominance was there for everyone to see. They were simply too good for Bangladesh. The Tigers have some soul searching to do, with their next series against struggling Sri Lanka at home in early 2018. South Africa’s summer is only going to get bigger, with Zimbabwe, India and Australia all touring.
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