Bowling Squad Determinants: NZ series perspective.

[Ahmed_B]

Pitch? Opposition?? Self Strength???... which one should be considered as most important??

Seeing Australia outplay India on their home-ground with such ease with the help of their Pacers... a verdict can be drawn that Pitch condition is not always the strongest determinant for an appropriate bowling squad!(unless the pitch has strong reputation previous of favoring a particular type of bowling –pace/spin )
The Aussies have relied on their own squad strength (pacers).. and accordingly got great success.
One other factor has been India’s superior ability to play spins rather than pace –the opponent strength factor!

Lets try so take a look at the current BD bowling squad strength
Tapash
Positive: Able to scare the batsmen sometimes
Negative: Seldom has been the top wicket-taker/ match winner
Rafiq
Positive: Dependable long-hour bowling in TESTs
Negative: Not vividly effective in ODI’s
Nazmul
Positive: Impressive consistant line/length/bit of swing
Negative: Still Inexperienced.
Mahmud
Positive: Sometimes he finds his concentration and does a good job than others
Negative: bad economy sometimes
Mushfiq
Positive: For some reason, he is able to penetrate the opposition’s batting line when others are failing
Negative: looks less hard working in recent times. His batting has also lost depth.
Enamul Jr.
Positive: Looked penetrating and promising (highest wickets in U-19 WC)
Negative: has been kept out of national team.
Talha/Shahadat/Jamaluddin/Nadif
Positive: Promising
Negative: Not yet tested in highly tough international matches
Rana/Ash/Rajin/Kapali
Probably these should be tried with their occasional bowling in crisis moments

Well, what are we gonna do now?
Our pace department looks stronger with Tapash/Nazmul/Mahmud/Mushfiq/Talha
On the other hand the NZ’s are supposed to be weaker against spinners in sub-continental pitches.
:duh:
So far it seems we don’t have any choice but to form a Pacer Dominated bowling squad for the upcoming Series vs. the NZ’s

Other Opinions??



Edited on, October 10, 2004, 6:16 PM GMT, by crickethorizon.

[Zobair]

look out for Rafique! He will be a real handful in the tests against the Kiwis. He is world class spinner, and should cause Kiwis some serious problems if the tracks are to his liking.

[Sam]

Originally posted by crickethorizon
...Well, what are we gonna do now?
Our pace department looks stronger with Tapash/Nazmul/Mahmud/Mushfiq/Talha
On the other hand the NZ’s are supposed to be weaker against spinners in sub-continental pitches.
:duh:
So far it seems we don’t have any choice but to form a Pacer Dominated bowling squad for the upcoming Series vs. the NZ’s

Other Opinions??



Edited on, October 10, 2004, 6:16 PM GMT, by crickethorizon.

You have drawn the decision sharply, contradicting the facts you have listed.
Because, out of the five pacers you mentioned, only two will be available for the test series. Out of them, Mushfiq cannot be considered as openning seamer with his mediocre 'Medium Fast' (not FM) bowling. Most probably selectors are going to draft one more pacer, and the choice will be Tareq from the remaining available and experienced ones.
On the other hand, Rafiq and Rana will form the core spin attack. With the part timers like Ashraf, Alok and Rajin, our spin department looks much impressive than the pacers.
Do you agree with this?

[Ahmed_B]

ooh... sry i forgot two good bowlers.. Tareq & Rajjak (though Rajjak is left out)

No doubt about Rafiq, I must say he's gonna strike!
Rana looks bit lost in recent times.

I ud surely like to see Ash/Rajin/Kap's change bowling tested at times... which hasen't been put to use by the team much yet.

on the other hand.. the Pace dept. looks rising and sharp.. but prob is their Inexperience.

NZ could really be troubled with a good spin attack.. which I'm nor sure we hav at the moment.

Lets see what the selectors go for..

[Sam]

In ODI's our seam-bowling department looks more impressive with Nazmul, Talha, Shahadat (if drafted).

[bourny3]

Rana and Rafique will rip through the NZ batting line up. Tapash will get a few wickets and Nazmul will hopefully play and get a few as well.

[fwullah]

I think Rafique is due to play some good games with the ball. Other than that, everything else depends on what the ground staffs make of the pitch.

[Sam]

How is the outfield in BNS now? After rains usually it's slow. I believe if it does not rain any more, it is going to b alright. A slow outfield is good for bowlers, they concedes less runs.

[Ahmed_B]

well.. that will benifit the NZ bowlers also.. hav u forgotten?

[Sam]

Originally posted by crickethorizon
well.. that will benifit the NZ bowlers also.. hav u forgotten?

No, I didn't. We don't need a slow outfield, we need to score as much as possible. Let NZ make thier score.

[rassel]

Originally posted by bourny3
Rana and Rafique will rip through the NZ batting line up. Tapash will get a few wickets and Nazmul will hopefully play and get a few as well.

Sounds good bourny3 if rafique picks up where he left of from the home series against SF and our boys start scoring runs things could go either way around.

[bdmoderator]

crickethorizon, Thanks to you for a nice Bowling Squad Determinants: NZ series perspective.

[Ahmed_B]

and what happened to our 'Reverse Swing' by Tarek??!

I thought Nazmul bowled superbly in the ICCCT... but co-incidentally he had to bowl overs after overs vs. Left handed-batsmen.... it would be nice to see how he does against the right-handers if he gets to play in the coming series.

Is Shahadat fit for the NZ series? anyone knows??

[betaar]

I can't wait to see how Nazmul does?

He did superbly in England, but I doubt whether he would be able to keep that good show in a flat wicket of Bangladesh that doesn't seem or swing as much. I thought he was better then other BD bowlers in ICC trophy because he was benefitted from his longer stay then the rest of the senior bowlers. If he can show the same grit and panetration in Bd wicket as he did in Eng, I'd say we have a good bowler on the rise.

Let's hope he does.

[mij]

I think spinner are more important in test matchs. While playing at home so we should have stronger spin department.

[bourny3]

Nazmul better play otherwise i have no faith in the selectors. If tareq gets in ahead of him ill be angry. Nazmul is a future fit Mashrafe. He will bowl at his pace as well.

[Sam]

bourney, we discussed this point earlier also. Nazmul is still young and it might be injurious for him to deliver long spells. He is very good in ODIs, and we should stick on it. But right now I don't see anybody other than Tareq to open with Tapash. Tareq has another skill to support the fellow batsmen. He is still not out in all his tests, as I remember. Behind Rafiq's century, his support was beyond question. I remember when I was watching the test in WI, the commentators were praising him, particularly his run-up style. Of course he was unfortunate, but fielders are to be blamed for that.

[bourny3]

Umm but he played in 4 day matches for the U19s and plays in the domestic 4 day matches so i dont see why long spells is a problem as he would be doing that in these matches.