Proteas took Bangladesh lightly: Kepler Wessels

DURBAN: Upset at South Africa's embarrassing loss to Bangladesh in the World Cup Super Eights, former captain Kepler Wessels has criticised Graeme Smith's men for taking their lowly-placed opponents lightly.

The numero uno ODI side succumbed to a shocking 67-run loss to Bangladesh on Saturday and Wessels termed the performance "below par".

Wessels said the team was guilty of underestimating a Bangladesh side which are looking like world beaters now.

"Bangladesh had accounted for India and I don't think we should have taken them lightly", he said.

Meanwhile, former chairman of selectors Omar Henry blamed the loss on poor selections made without analysing the pitch conditions.

"Bangladesh played with about four spin bowlers yet we didn't make use of any one of our spinners. Robin Petersen is there and I cannot understand why we didn't use him," he said.

The CEO of cricket in the KwaZulu-Natal province Cassim Docrat, however, chose to lavish praise on Bangladesh and said the Tigers deserved to win.

"Nothing must take away the splendid and wonderful performance of the Bangladesh team. It clear shows that their defeat of India was not a fluke. They played very well and I think they demonstrated their enthusiasm and commitment during the game," he said.

Docrat said the South African players could still take some positives from the loss and use it as a wake up call.

"South Africa cannot sit on their laurels. They still have to play West Indies, England and New Zealand and I believe these teams will not just buckle to South Africa," he explained.