So it's 13 defeats and counting for Bangladesh, but not even the most maniacally superstitious cricketer could blame the fates for this one. Six innings defeats in seven matches, 13 trouncings in 14, one lucky rain-affected draw. By the time South Africa have wrapped the series up at Potchefstroom next week, Bangladesh will have broken an 81-year-old record of eight consecutive Test defeats, as set by a war-ravaged England team in 1920-21. Their continued incompetence is an embarrassment to the game. At a pinch, Bangladesh can take some positives from this defeat. Their teenage fast bowlers showed a never-say-die attitude, even though their figures died a gruesome death, and Alok Kapali impressed with his allround contribution, particularly with the bat. But as for the rest of them, even Al-Shahriar, whose Test-best innings of 71 was a mish-mash of divine drives and exasperating edges, they continue to ignore the fundamentals of five-day cricket.

Test batsmen and bowlers are rarely created overnight, but Zimbabwe, when they were the minnows of world cricket, did at least develop their fielding until they were arguably the second-best side in the world behind the South Africans. Bangladesh on the other hand have done nothing but tread water since their debut in 2000-01. No modern-day player can hope to do that and get away with it, let alone an entire team.

And as for their tailend batting - as any bunny knows, it is imperative to hop into line against the quicks. But the dismal procession of wickets on the final morning at East London was all too familiar. Each and every batsman stepped out to leg, had a waft and undid in an instance all the good work that Kapali and his captain, Khaled Masud, had done on the Sunday afternoon. That pair, in adding 35 runs in as many overs, had frustrated the South Africans and demonstrated what could be done with a modicum of application. It wasn't pretty, but it was most certainly gritty. If Bangladesh are to develop, as every cricket lover hopes they do, a bit of grit is the least we can ask for.

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