Russell Domingo expects stiff challenge from Bangladesh

South Africa's coach Russell Domingo expects his team to have a tough task during their tour of Bangladesh which begins this weekend.

Bangladesh have notched up three successive series wins at home and Domingo feels that the Asian side will be a real threat to his South African team.

Domingo opined that the conditions in Bangladesh which are drastically different from South Africa will severely examine the skills of the visitors.

"It's going to be a tough tour for them (South Africa) with the crowd, the weather, the nature of the wickets and the way Bangladesh are playing,” said Domingo.

“But it will be a great test of their character.”

Bangladesh have had a great start to 2015 as they made it to the World Cup quarter-finals followed by emphatic series wins at home against Pakistan and India that has ensured them a berth in the 2017 Champions Trophy.

Domingo attributed Bangladesh’s stunning transformation over the last two years to the change to the fearless approach imbibed by the side.

"Bangladesh have changed that mind set.

“They are playing a lot more aggressively.

“They've combined a new belief with a new set of skills which has made them much more effective and much more dangerous.”

Although the pitches in Bangladesh have supported the pacers in patches during the recent matches, Domingo expects the surfaces to be slow and dry like the formulaic Asian tracks.

Despite resting key players like Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander, Domingo is confident about South Africa’s new-look pace attack for the series.

"The wickets will be typical sub-continent wickets.

“They will know we also have four quicks and if they prepare wickets that are going to suit fast bowling, it plays very much into our hands.”

The tour that comprises two Twenty20 Internationals, three One-Day Internationals and two Tests kicks-off with the shortest format of the game on Sunday.

© Cricket World 2015