IanW
May 10, 2005, 01:11 AM
Found this by an Australia cricket supporters tour group, talking about the Cairns test in '03.
"Steve Waugh won the toss and elected to bowl to take advantage of the supposedly green top wicket. He, like us, had been conned by the local media that the visitors would have trouble on the green top first up. Many of us in the tipping comp had predicted Bangladesh to be bowled out by mid afternoon for about 130 runs. Obviously, Bangladesh did not read the script as the pitch instead turned out to play true even bounce with little sideways movement and hammered any short or wide deliveries to make an impressive 295 runs against the best bowling attack in the world. A feat the England and South Africa have struggled to achieve in recent years. Their impressive batting was the talking point for conversation at the dinner table that evening.
The mighty Aussies came out to bat and were immediately in trouble with Langer out very cheaply. Two more wickets soon followed and our boys started to look wobbly at 3/140 odd. Talk amongst us quickly turned to the fact we could have a real tight and interesting contest. Steve Waugh and Darren Lehman put a stop to the talk of dissent among us as they hammered the bowling racking up centuries each as did Martin Love making his maiden ton.
With a lead of over 250 runs it was going to take a brave effort for the visitors to make the home side bat again. A brave fight was put up by Bangladesh in their second dig but the pressure proved too much as our boys cleaned up the tail for an easy innings victory.
Despite their loss, we were impressed with Bangladesh’s team spirit throughout the match as they had a real go for the whole game and fielded impressively. It is obvious that their new coach, Dav Whatmore has had a big impact in the short time he has taken over the reins. Their fielding was sharp as Whatmore had the side well drilled. This is a very young side playing against harden men. Many of the players are still in their teens and the side can only improve as long as Whatmore is coach for they will become a very competitive team in the next couple of years. Just look what he did for Sri Lanka. All they lack is a top strike bowler and another quality batsman."
Now, Bangladesh have two strike bowler candidates - Shahadat and Haque - and a quality batsman in Ashraful.
By my count, Bangladesh have three world-class players - Rafique, Masrafee and Bashar. They have a number of young maybe's - Shahadat, Ashraful, Haque.
Their old-but-OKs - Omar, Sarker, Baiysa - are gradually getting replaced by kids with potential.
The future looks bright to me.
Ian Whitchurch
PS Original source here
http://www.networkcrickettours.com.au/Previous%20Tours.htm
Edited on, May 10, 2005, 6:14 AM GMT, by IanW.
"Steve Waugh won the toss and elected to bowl to take advantage of the supposedly green top wicket. He, like us, had been conned by the local media that the visitors would have trouble on the green top first up. Many of us in the tipping comp had predicted Bangladesh to be bowled out by mid afternoon for about 130 runs. Obviously, Bangladesh did not read the script as the pitch instead turned out to play true even bounce with little sideways movement and hammered any short or wide deliveries to make an impressive 295 runs against the best bowling attack in the world. A feat the England and South Africa have struggled to achieve in recent years. Their impressive batting was the talking point for conversation at the dinner table that evening.
The mighty Aussies came out to bat and were immediately in trouble with Langer out very cheaply. Two more wickets soon followed and our boys started to look wobbly at 3/140 odd. Talk amongst us quickly turned to the fact we could have a real tight and interesting contest. Steve Waugh and Darren Lehman put a stop to the talk of dissent among us as they hammered the bowling racking up centuries each as did Martin Love making his maiden ton.
With a lead of over 250 runs it was going to take a brave effort for the visitors to make the home side bat again. A brave fight was put up by Bangladesh in their second dig but the pressure proved too much as our boys cleaned up the tail for an easy innings victory.
Despite their loss, we were impressed with Bangladesh’s team spirit throughout the match as they had a real go for the whole game and fielded impressively. It is obvious that their new coach, Dav Whatmore has had a big impact in the short time he has taken over the reins. Their fielding was sharp as Whatmore had the side well drilled. This is a very young side playing against harden men. Many of the players are still in their teens and the side can only improve as long as Whatmore is coach for they will become a very competitive team in the next couple of years. Just look what he did for Sri Lanka. All they lack is a top strike bowler and another quality batsman."
Now, Bangladesh have two strike bowler candidates - Shahadat and Haque - and a quality batsman in Ashraful.
By my count, Bangladesh have three world-class players - Rafique, Masrafee and Bashar. They have a number of young maybe's - Shahadat, Ashraful, Haque.
Their old-but-OKs - Omar, Sarker, Baiysa - are gradually getting replaced by kids with potential.
The future looks bright to me.
Ian Whitchurch
PS Original source here
http://www.networkcrickettours.com.au/Previous%20Tours.htm
Edited on, May 10, 2005, 6:14 AM GMT, by IanW.