If we agree to a 3 match series, it is nothing short of suicide as the things stand, with test match lure for the Associates. We would be handing over the 9th rank to them on a platter. For a change, we see intelligence shown by the BCB I feel, and they want to make an offer that ZC can't accept or reject in a straightforward manner. There will only be rank turners, and except for a couple of reverse-sweep ridden half centuries by Taylor and a face saving 50 each by Masakadza, Williams and Chigumbura, we run the risk of folding like a pack of cards every single time.
We need to pack our calendar and show it to the BCB and make a return offer of a 3 test series next year to start off the 3 test tradition, with Mutare / Kwekwe getting to debut on the test scene. This is not running away from a challenge, but being wise about things. Develop the team with A team tours and accept the challenge when ready, may be in a year and a half's time as a return leg.
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ZIM A to tour Bangladesh in June
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I agree CrimsonAvenger, I think we will struggle in Bangladesh.
But this is what sport is all about isn't it? The thrill of the contest?
I say bring on as many Tests as the BCB wants to schedule - rather than defending a fairly tenuous position, let's go out there and try and put more distance between rankings 9 and 10.
If they prepare flat decks then there's just as good a chance of Taylor and Masakadza batting them out of the match as there is of Shakib and Mushfiqur doing the same. If they prepare rank turners we'll be in a bit of strife no doubt, but maybe Vitori's swing and some variable seam movement will have the Bangladeshi's reeling on that same track.
Who knows? But let's find out anyway. :D
But this is what sport is all about isn't it? The thrill of the contest?
I say bring on as many Tests as the BCB wants to schedule - rather than defending a fairly tenuous position, let's go out there and try and put more distance between rankings 9 and 10.
If they prepare flat decks then there's just as good a chance of Taylor and Masakadza batting them out of the match as there is of Shakib and Mushfiqur doing the same. If they prepare rank turners we'll be in a bit of strife no doubt, but maybe Vitori's swing and some variable seam movement will have the Bangladeshi's reeling on that same track.
Who knows? But let's find out anyway. :D
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Apart from Sakib their bowling is pretty tame, Gazi has taken a few wickets but his average is over 40 .....
Good preparation which includes the A tour and a few warm up matches is key to us succeeding in BD .....
Good preparation which includes the A tour and a few warm up matches is key to us succeeding in BD .....
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The BCB have explicitly stated their intention of doing everything possible to move out of the 10th spot before the Test Challenge in 2018 and 3 home tests against ZIM is obviously part of that plan. But hopefully it will also spur the ZC to organize 3 Tests in return, although I'm fine with a 3/2 split which actually favors us.
Since ZIM's readmission we've played 3 Tests in ZIM, and taken as a series that was a 2-1 win for ZIM by hefty margins. As the rankings stand, I don't think a 2-0 win will take us ahead of ZIM, certainly 2-1 wouldn't. ZIM would just need to avoid 3-0 to retain 9th place, albeit marginally. I haven't done the calculations but that is my guestimation.
Since ZIM's readmission we've played 3 Tests in ZIM, and taken as a series that was a 2-1 win for ZIM by hefty margins. As the rankings stand, I don't think a 2-0 win will take us ahead of ZIM, certainly 2-1 wouldn't. ZIM would just need to avoid 3-0 to retain 9th place, albeit marginally. I haven't done the calculations but that is my guestimation.
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
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brmtaylor.com admin wrote:
If they prepare flat decks then there's just as good a chance of Taylor and Masakadza batting them out of the match as there is of Shakib and Mushfiqur doing the same. If they prepare rank turners we'll be in a bit of strife no doubt, but maybe Vitori's swing and some variable seam movement will have the Bangladeshi's reeling on that same track.
We don't have the same relative strength as ZIM when playing at home, however, thats a very optimistic expectation and we're not that helpless on our own turf!
Our 3 biggest Test innings have all come in the past year, and interestingly all 3 have been in the 2nd innings after the opposition put up totals of 527, 570, and 469 so we had to sweat it out in the field for a while before we got into bat. Thus on a flat deck, I would say the advantage lies firmly with us, especially since every one of our top 8 batsman has a Test century in their CV. So suppose we put up 400-450 (quite possibly even more), you're going to need more than just 2-3 batsman firing to get close to that. And we'll likely be throwing about 60 overs of spin per day in there. Thats a lot of spin to survive even on a flat track.
There won't be any swing or seam movement available on our pitches for Vitori or Chatara. Remember Robiul Islam swung his way to a Player of the Series award in Harare beating out Kyle Jarvis. Yet he's looked distinctly less threatening in our home Tests (still way better than Rubel and Shahadat tho). Even an accomplished swing bowler like Trent Boult was largely neutered in Bangladesh.
In the last couple of years, the only seam bowlers to have any success on our flat decks have been Fidel Edwards and Tino Best, and they succeeded simply due to express pace (Fidel moved the ball around a bit). But even Kemar Roach with is pace was throttled.
I would expect Shingi Masakadza to be the pick of the seamers. Vitori will get a few wickets (especially against our lefties) but I predict he'll also go for plenty.
Personally, I'd like to see square turners for 2 Tests, and a greentop for 1 (yeah right!). Wishful thinking, but I think even on a square turner we'd be able to bat pretty big.
Regardless, if this series happens, it should be interesting. BD fans would consider anything less than a 3-0 win as a failure. The ICC rankings and the Test Challenge infuse even more context into the BD-ZIM rivalry.
I hope that the BCB arranges a 3 day tour match. Most of our series have gone on without tour games recently (perhaps due to crammed schedules).
Bangladesh cricket fanatic, observer of all others.
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