Smith - Room to improve

Skipper impressed by come-from-behind victory

Last updated: 25th February 2008

Graeme Smith

Smith: made 62 in second innings

It's nice to go into the second Test knowing that you are leading 1-0 and from now we will be looking to improve on our all-round performances.

Graeme Smith
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South Africa captain Graeme Smith praised his side's fighting spirit following the five-wicket success over Bangladesh in the first Test.

The Proteas conceded a first-innings deficit of 22 after being bowled out for just 170, but battled back to skittle the hosts out for 182 second time around and leave themselves a victory target of 205.

And Smith's innings of 62 paved the way for South Africa to complete victory on the fourth morning in Mirpur.

"It just goes to show that we have the ability to come back when we have our backs against the wall," Smith told iol.co.za.

"We may not have batted well in the first innings but it was a lot better in the second. I still think we can improve further.

Outstanding

"The bowlers were just outstanding. Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn showed us the way initially and then Jacques (Kallis) was brilliant on the third morning.

"It's nice to go into the second Test knowing that you are leading 1-0 and from now we will be looking to improve on our all-round performances. It will get better from here on."

Coach Mickey Arthur concurred, saying: "Our batsmen did a lot better in the second innings but there's room for improvement.

"The wickets here are really difficult and we will need to work on a few players before the second Test in order to get their techniques for these sub-continent conditions up to mark.

"However we must not detract from what we have achieved. We had to work really hard for this win and I must admit our attack brought us back into the game."

Bangladesh skipper Mohammad Ashraful was disappointed with the performance of his batsmen.

They were bowled out for scores of 192 and 182 with Junaid Siddique's second-innings 74 the hosts' only half-century.

"The boys played well, I think we needed 50 or 60 runs more," Ashraful said.

"We should have scored 250 plus in the first innings."

The second and final Test starts in Chittagong on February 29.