BD bowling speeds
First off, even someone as optimistic and positive as me couldn't help but stare at the heavens in utter disgust and disbelief at our team's batting performance (read 'non-performance'). Well, such is life, I'm afraid. I think we need some specialist batting coaches. Whoever it is that said our strength was in batting (Akram Khan, I believe), well, we now know he was talking out of his a-hole.
Anyway, enough about our batting. As a positive person, I'll concentrate on the positives of our performance. Bowling and fielding - though not immaculate - were well above par, and I've noticed significant improvements. The bowling wasn't at all wayward, except for - ahem - Talha Jubair. Having said that, I think he has some true potential. Just needs to work on consistency, and not get scared out of his wits when he faces world-class batsmen.
I'd also like to take the opportunity to clarify the issue of bowling speeds. Handle pointed out that Tapash Baishya and Manju were averaging 127 kph. This is indeed true. But that translates to 82.5 mph.
The conversion is as follows.
1.54 kms = 1 mile
So...
Tapash and Manju average 82.5 mph.
Talha averaged 130 (= 84.4 mph).
Talha's fastest delivery was 133 kph (= 86.4 kph)! Too bad he was bowling all over the shop, and not at the batsmen.
If Mushfiq and Masri are way faster than that, I'd be overjoyed. I hear Masri managed to top 140 kph in the tour of New Zealand. But I'd hate to speculate.
Well, I hope I've clarified the issue about bowling speeds. Bangladeshi bowlers aren't the fastest in the world, but they're getting ever more competitive. And I'd be the last person to discredit their performances.
By the way, I thought our fielding against NZ was bloody awesome, except in the last four overs or so.
I also think Khaled Mashud is a great captain. He was talking incessantly all throughout the match, but it was all sensible and motivational stuff. Anybody notice the scolding Talha got for misfielding from Pilot? Or the sharp rap Sujon got for being too slow on the field? ("Eto asteh asteh korleh cholbe na, sujon bhai, LOMBA LOMBA PAA!") I couldn't stop laughing at that one.
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