“I think the Bangladesh seamers can be very proud of the way they conducted themselves in the first Test,” Donald said. “I think we were feeling our way into it a little bit. Once we settled down, it was very good. We spoke about bowling in partnerships. It was a fantastic performance from all the seamers. The way Khaled got into the team, the way Ebadot bowled.
“It was even better in the second innings. I felt we bowled like a Test unit. The run-rate went down from 3.7 to 2.5. The way we took wickets at crucial times in that second innings to restrict South Africa to 273. I am very proud of the seamers. They kept coming all day long to keep the pressure up. If you are looking for a recipe for success, it doesn’t change here in St George’s Park.”
Donald especially praised Taskin for braving the pain of his shoulder injury during the fourth day’s play in Durban. Taskin removed Dean Elgar who was looking dangerous on 64, before adding Keshav Maharaj as he bowled 11 overs.
“We can’t speak highly enough of Taskin. I was so happy for him in the one-dayers at the way he led the bowling attack. He started getting a bit of niggle in his shoulder in the firs Test. It gradually got worse. He strapped it up in the second innings. He was willing to go even further and do the job for Bangladesh. We wish him well. We have Sri Lanka around the corner.
“It is an absolute pleasure working with the young guy. He is a great listener. He wants to learn. He has a proper engine in him. He keeps going through all that pain. The three of them were outstanding, especially Taskin who was in a lot of pain. Tells you a lot about his character and also about how much he cares for this team where the stakes were at its highest. The pain was at its highest,” said Donald.
“Dale Steyn showed here few years ago against Australia on a flat pitch, that when the ball starts reversing, you can take wickets here. It is going to be tough work for the bowlers,” he said.
Donald also said that the afternoon wind can be disconcerting for the bowlers and fielders, and it is something that they are talking about and working on ahead of the second Test.
“You have to contend with the severe winds in Port Elizabeth. It comes around 12:30 to two o’clock over the scoreboard. Late in the afternoon it gets up to about 40-45kph. It is like a wind tunnel from the scoreboard, and it keeps swirling. As a bowler you feel you are with it, and all of a sudden you are against it. Someone has to do the dirty work (to bowl) into the wind. It is not going to be tough work.
“We have been talking about our fielding, high catching and getting into correct positions quickly. We have to do a lot of spiral catching. Long catching. High catching is a real skill here,” he said.