Bangladesh-England Head to Head - Sporting life.

[Zunaid]

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ENGLAND v BANGLADESH HEAD TO HEADS

MICHAEL VAUGHAN v HABIBUL BASHAR

Now preparing for his eighth Test series as captain and second against Bangladesh, Vaughan looks every inch the man for the job. Although his personal form may have fallen below the standards he set earlier in his Test career, after a shaky start against South Africa in 2003 he has matured into an excellent captain. His inclusive style has helped develop a winning mentality and he has used his team's resources well, particularly in the bowling department.

As Bangladesh's best batsman by some distance, Bashar found the captaincy coming his way last year. He was the obvious choice. Having been a member of the side since their inaugural Test of 2000, he has been the only player to consistently score runs and one of few to have looked genuinely comfortable at the top level. He averages close to 35 from 34 Tests and is the key wicket.

GRAHAM THORPE v RAJIN SALEH

Surrey batsman Thorpe is possibly beginning his final season in international cricket. Apart from a few short spells away from the game due to personal problems, the left-hander has served his country well over the past 12 years. He is a consistent, reliable performer who has bailed England out on a number of occasions.

Saleh is at the opposite end of the scale and along with Mohammad Ashraful has been identified as one of the young batsmen to carry Bangladesh forward. His talent is evident and his technique generally sound but international cricket has been a big step-up. But coach Dav Whatmore has kept faith and Saleh is now one of the mainstays of the middle order. Was trusted with the captaincy in the Champions Trophy last year when Bashar was injured.

ASHLEY GILES v MOHAMMAD RAFIQUE

The often-criticised Giles came of age last year. He began 2004 with the usual questions being asked about his status in the team but ended it as one of the mainstays of the side. Last summer was a watershed as Giles proved he can take wickets regularly at home rather than just frustrate batsmen. Always handy for a few runs too and an improved fielder.

Like Giles, Rafique is an economical slow left-armer who can chip in with runs lower down the order. He has now re-established himself in the side after being forced to take time out to work on his action. Performed well in the 2003 series against England, finishing top wicket-taker.

GERAINT JONES v KHALED MASHUD

Wicketkeeper Jones has retained his place since being controversially selected ahead of Chris Read for the final Test in the West Indies a year ago. With the bat he has far exceeded Read and justified the selectors' decision but the fact remains his glovework is inferior to his rivals'. Needs to work on this part of his game, especially as Matt Prior and James Foster are also viable alternatives.

Mashud has remained a firm fixture in the side despite a miserable spell as captain, which ended after the 2003 World Cup. Like Jones, he too offers value to his side as a batsman, no better illustrated than by his match-saving century against the West Indies in the first Test in St Lucia last June.

STEVE HARMISON v MASHRAFE MORTAZA

Durham paceman Harmison suffered from another bout of homesickness in South Africa and England need him back to his 2004 best ahead of the Australia series. Previously inconsistent, Harmison was outstanding in the West Indies early last year and followed up with some outstanding performances in summer which elevated him to the top of the world rankings. Took a step back in South Africa and has a point to prove.

Mortaza is the quickest of Bangladesh's attack and, like Harmison in his earlier career, has a tendency to fire it in, sometimes without accuracy. He is an aggressive bowler but has shown increased maturity of late and his partnership with Tapash Baisya is developing.

DUNCAN FLETCHER v DAV WHATMORE

The only area where Bangladesh can claim to have as much experience as England. Fletcher, in his quiet understated way, has helped transform England in his five years as coach. When he took over England were bottom of the then unofficial world rankings but in his canny and methodical way has lifted them to second. For the first time since the late 1980s, England are genuinely considered to have a chance of beating Australia. Fletcher's experience is wide-ranging, having captained Zimbabwe in his playing days and also coached Glamorgan.

Whatmore too has county coaching experience, having taken the helm at Lancashire after leading Sri Lanka to glory in the 1996 World Cup. He left Old Trafford to return to Sri Lanka and since taking the Bangladesh job, Test cricket's newest nation have shown tentative signs of improvement. They came close to upsetting Pakistan last year, beat India in a one-day international in December and then overcame Zimbabwe in January for their first Test win. As a result Whatmore is now being linked with the India job.

[LateCut]

Sort of non-judgemental reporting. No new information. At least not too negative.

[FaltuRidwanBhai]

i just laughed after reading the comment about rafique. because they seriously didnt say anything impressive about him except mentioning that he was a top wicket taker against england in 2003. i thought there were more positive sides for him. boo!!!!!
but they really wrote very good comments about bashar. that was the best they good actually come up with.