Actually, he is pretty good in defence and can survive more than 20 balls just defending and has in the past. Yesterday when he came out, he was still low on confidence and his first few defensive shots just looked a little too careful. Basically, he was trying too hard not to get out in the first few balls.
Ashraful's problem as I see it is in playing the ball aimed at his head. He will hook a medium pacer all day, he will hook a fast bowler if the ball is aimed down the leg-side, but if you bowl quick and straight at his chest or head, he is very uncomfortable. The boy needs to learn to duck, instead of fending the ball away awkwardly and getting caught by Harmison at point!
|