By Marcus Prior South African sports journalist

Sports psychology is a burgeoning business, but even the very best practitioner might struggle to know how to help the Bangladeshi cricket side.

On Wednesday, they were predictably beaten by South Africa in Kimberley signaling a series whitewash and a world record 23rd consecutive one-day loss.

In fact, the last time they left the field victorious was the much scrutinised 62-run win over Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup in England.

So just what gets the Bangladeshis out of bed in the morning?

If your day at the office was a constant, almost inevitable stream of setbacks, wouldn't you struggle to make it out your front door?

Opener Al Sahariar is bowled in Benoni

"It does get difficult," team manager ASM Farouk told BBC Sport Online.

"We all know that the standard of cricket we are playing now is not as good as the standard we play in our own country.

"We are in the process of building our national side so that it can compete with the top international teams.

"We still have a long way to go and need to work hard and concentrate harder to reach that kind of level but otherwise the morale in the side is fine and the discipline is excellent too which is very important.

"The guys have taken the defeats here in South Africa sportingly and they feel that this is a fantastic experience for them to play against one of the best sides in the world."

All I can do is remind the guys that they are playing for their country ASM Farouk

And Farouk is not alone in believing that the players understand this tour is an educational process.

Sean Vredendal is the team liason in South Africa and has been with the squad since they got off the plane in Johannesburg.

"They really just want to learn. They are soaking up absolutely everything about playing against guys like Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis.

"Being beaten is not what it's about. When Habibul Bashar scores 50 or a teenager like Tapash Baisya bowls Herschelle Gibbs with a beauty, it gives the whole side a lift.

"I think they'll do OK at the World Cup next year."

Baisya has demonstrated genuine potential

Bashar's innings in the seven wicket defeat in Kimberley on Wednesday and the performances of bowlers such as 19-year-old Tapash and 16-year-old team-mate Talha Jubair have shown that there is real potential for the future.

But it is the present generation who will be put to the test - and, as would seem inevitable, the sword - by the South Africans over the next three weeks.

Buffalo Park in East London and Potchefstrom's North West Stadium will become the 85th and 86th grounds to join the test roster for the two-match series from which only one result is expected.

Nobody is more aware of that than the Bangladeshis themselves, but that should be motivation enough in itself.

"Obviously no one expects us to beat South Africa, but we do need to put up a good show," says Farouk.

"We need to keep the game alive for at least four days, if not five. As far as I'm concerned after these defeats in the one-dayers that's the least we should be aiming for.

"All I can do is remind the guys that they are playing for their country."