Andrew Miller writes about the Tigers, BC as well :)

[oracle]

No wonder the Australians will play only one first-class match before the Ashes. All of them except Gilchrist and Jason Gillespie have been made to feel at home already.

home advantage , huh!

I vaguely recollect using that argument somewhere? anyway, when it comes from Englishmen -it sounds like complaining , specifically typical Brit pre-Ashes nagging.

when it comes to BD case- BD needs it and deserve it

Edited on, April 6, 2005, 12:37 AM GMT, by oracle.

[Sham]

They are gonna put up every argument they can think of to cover themselves. Basically, before the series starts, they are gonna make it out as if winning the series for England will be a miracle given all the odds against them. Then, when they lose, they'll say, we told you so. However, if they win, I really doubt it although being and England fan I hope I get to see it in my lifetime, they will make it out as if England has just conquered Mars!

[RazabQ]

Originally posted by Sham
.... although being and England fan I hope I get to see it in my lifetime, ...

So, Sham, how do you do on the infmaous Test match rule of British citizenship?

[Akib]

The article about englans schedule is very right. If only we played england after ashes when they are beaten and bruised.
(if that happens) and also the pitches will be different.

to Miller for his article.

[Sham]

Originally posted by razabq

So, Sham, how do you do on the infmaous Test match rule of British citizenship?

Haha! I take it you are talking of the Tebbit 'test.' For those not familiar with it, quite a few years ago, Lord Tebbit, who was disheartened by the fact that British Asians would support their country of origin (India, Pakistan) against their adopted country (England), suggested that you could only be called British if you supported England in cricket (and other sports) against your country of origin. Soon after, British Indians turned up at an England-India Test Match holding placards saying "WE FAIL THE TEBBIT TEST."

Anyway, going back to your question, although I am a British citizen because of my father who lived here for many years when he was young, I don't consider myself to be anything other than Bangladeshi, having been born and brought up there. So, how do I do on the Tebbit test? I don't think I even score a point. However, I do want England to win against the Aussies though!

[bdmoderator]

Good to see BanglaCricket.com name in the CricInfo.com.

[Andrewwisden]

Thanks to all of you who sent feedback. Always nice to know if I'm on the right track (and equally, if I'm not!)

[deshibhai]

we need more press about how Bangladesh is going to lose and lose big. one of the reasons why our australian tour was widely considered a success is because some dude (i forget his name) predicted that we would lose within two days. once that becomes the widespread ex-ante expectation, once expectations are lowered so much, even an average drubbing becomes acceptable. so, i say, lower expectations as much as possible.

[IanW]

This is what Andrew Miller sent back to me as a reply ... he's OKd me posting it here.

****

I certainly do not dispute the talent in Bangladesh's ranks - in fact I
was in Dhaka in 2003 when Mohammad Rafique and Enamul Haque gave England
some problems on their last tour. I am assured by my friends in
Bangladesh that Shadahat is decidedly swift, and I saw for myself what a
talent Mashrafee is.

That is why the timing of this tour is all the more disappointing.
Bangladesh's strengths will be compromised by the weather, the wickets,
the hype surrounding the impending Ashes ... everything is conspiring to
take the gloss off an occasion that could have been handled better.
Throwing Bangladesh in at the deep end is all very well, but throwing
them to the wolves is a tad unnecessary!

My major gripe, however, doesn't surround the Tests, but the one-day
internationals. There is simply nothing to be gained from a triangular
competition in which the two finalists are pre-ordained. Even if
Bangladesh achieved the unthinkable and won one of their six matches, it
wouldn't be enough for a place in the final. They ought instead to have
been offered a three-match series against England, and another, stronger
team - such as Pakistan - should have been drafted in for the
triangulars.

As for playing the game on the field, not on paper, I wholeheartedly
agree, and wish I was talented enough to put my money where my mouth is!
But then again, it is the select few who earn that privilege. The rest
of us can but sit back and watch - and I can't be alone in wishing that
the itinerary was less of a turn-off.

[Sham]

Originally posted by IanW
This is what Andrew Miller sent back to me as a reply ... he's OKd me posting it here.

****



That is why the timing of this tour is all the more disappointing.
Bangladesh's strengths will be compromised by the weather, the wickets,
the hype surrounding the impending Ashes ... everything is conspiring to
take the gloss off an occasion that could have been handled better.
Throwing Bangladesh in at the deep end is all very well, but throwing
them to the wolves is a tad unnecessary!

Too right! As if playing in England for the first time isn't challenging enough, they have given us the worst possible time slot, early summer, and are making us lead up to the most important series for English cricket, the Ashes!

[RazabQ]

furthermore, you would think they would want the Aussies to be the team struggling with the conditions ... I rarely ever agree with the Telegraph, but on this one topic, I concur with their views

[mwrkhan]

Originally posted by razabq
furthermore, you would think they would want the Aussies to be the team struggling with the conditions ... I rarely ever agree with the Telegraph, but on this one topic, I concur with their views

What? Dissing my favourite newspaper!! Anyway, I always thought that Lord Tebbit had a point. Why should second or third generation sub-continentals owe their allegiance to any country other than England?

I hope England regains the Ashes too, but I doubt it. It is astonishing that a host country can set up such an accomodating itinerary for their opponents.

[RazabQ]

Originally posted by mwrkhan
Anyway, I always thought that Lord Tebbit had a point. Why should second or third generation sub-continentals owe their allegiance to any country other than England?

I refer you to Imran Khan's effective retor to the Tebbit argument, rather than comment myself.

So we are to assume that you will be waving the Union Jack and cheering for England in the coming series against Bangladesh?

[mwrkhan]

Originally posted by razabq

I refer you to Imran Khan's effective retor to the Tebbit argument, rather than comment myself.

So we are to assume that you will be waving the Union Jack and cheering for England in the coming series against Bangladesh?

Whatever makes you say that? I will certainly be waving the Union Jack and cheering for England against Australia, but I am not a second or third generation British born desi so my support for BD is quite intact thank you.

[RazabQ]

Originally posted by mwrkhan

Whatever makes you say that? I will certainly be waving the Union Jack and cheering for England against Australia, but I am not a second or third generation British born desi so my support for BD is quite intact thank you.

I was being somewhat tongue in cheek there Anyway, and this discussion should probably go to the forget cricket forum at this point .. so I'll post there ...

[TigerFan]

Originally posted by Sham
Too right! As if playing in England for the first time isn't challenging enough, they have given us the worst possible time slot, early summer, and are making us lead up to the most important series for English cricket, the Ashes!

Guys, guys, remember, when england came to bangladesh last time, it was raining most of the time. They had to play on the slippary field too in our country. So, they're doing the same now. What we gave, we're getting back too. Anyway, in my opinion, bangladesh pure shona (Gold) hoche, the more we burn, the sooner we get better. Bangladeshi players has to, I say, has to take this series like anyother series, because if they don't, they'll unnessesarily be under extra pressure, and they should give 200% Insh Allah. Slippary should not be a problem to us, because we are the children of rivers and rain. We grew up in water. So no fear! Thanks Andrew by the way.

[dukha]

It's mentioned as "Hoggard" is a biggest Nightmare i suggest How about "Andrew Staruss" ? He could be the other big one too ......... lol .......

Edited on, April 10, 2005, 2:18 AM GMT, by dukha.

[RazabQ]

dukha you've got a point there. however you have to cocede that batting is now our weak suite ...