Such is the insufficient standard of commitment and ability on display by Bangladesh, they can afford to look forward and not derail their current ambitions of a demolition job.

Bangladesh is a poor test cricket nation. Nothing I have seen over the years from them is likely to change my standpoint regarding them in the future and, unlike Sri Lanka when they first entered the arena, they have shown zero signs of progression. Around 150 million people live in Bangladesh. Recent defections considered, surely there should have been greater advancement than we have witnessed.

Back to the 17th of December. That is the day that the first test kicks off against Australia in Perth, the scene of some match saving heroics from the visitors last time around. Time is now short to get their mental state exact but it really does not take rocket science to plan efficiently.

Many of the squad have ventured on a testing tour of Australia before. They will know what to expect. For a number of reasons it is the most demanding expedition, not least of course that they will be eyeballing the best cricket team in the world. Australia has enjoyed remarkable success over the last decade or so but now a few cracks are emerging from various quarters.

They are acutely aware of their current shortfalls and will be anxiously awaiting the upcoming battle, which is always an accurate description when the southern hemisphere giants clash.

I distinctly remember grilling Graeme Smith on Extra Cover way back on 18th April 2006. That show was smack bang in the middle of a New Zealand test match at SuperSport Park but my motivation for an hour with Graeme was the recently completed tour of Australia where performances were substandard. More to the point, I needed, along with millions of ‘willow heads’ in South Africa, answers for his rather mystifying off-field strategy which was based on habitual comments deliberately aimed to irritate the Australians.

It was an intriguing hour and Graeme was brutally honest. He ducked the odd verbal bouncer, top edged a couple, and somewhat cathartically admitted mistakes. He importantly explained that his plan of deliberate verbal attacks delivered from press conferences and other media gatherings was to force the Australians to focus their energy on him, therefore releasing a pressure valve to allow his less experienced teammates to prosper. A bold approach if ever there was one.

The problem was that such was the intensity to derail the touring captain, which is a favourite Australian pastime, that Smith’s form suffered and he averaged only in the mid 20s in the test arena. A huge tree had been chopped off at the roots and stability sabotaged.

Credit to Graeme on Extra Cover that night as he admitted his plan had backfired and given the chance again he would not be as arrogant and aggressive and learn from his error. He has that chance now.

Smith has the respect of the Australian players, public and media. Sheer weight of performance has ensured that. There is now no need for calculated barbs to escalate tension.

The South Africans need to embrace the tour of Australia with a degree of enjoyment and respect that will win over the public and the media. They are a likeable bunch and doing such will take little effort. Make no mistake, the steeliness and aggression that will be required in the heat of battle will be simmering below the surface and that will naturally rise to the fore when needed. That is the hallmark of South African and Australian clashes and nothing will ever change that. Rightly so.

This time, due to extenuating circumstances and prior experience, South Africa have a chance to do it right. The dominant theme of the tour should be based on composed, determined focus, minus any potentially distracting side-shows.

Smith’s form is fundamental to success…. along with some initiative and imagination.

It’s the captain’s call.

Recent ColumnsMike Haysman