*Cricket Articles Archive-No Comments* - Page 43

Bangladesh vs South Africa, Super Eights, Guyana

Bangladesh aim to justify their elevation

Dileep Premachandran in Guyana

April 6, 2007



'We expected to do a lot better in the last two games. The pressure should not be used as an excuse' - Bashar AFP




On a day when India's players would have been asked to keep their eyes on the ball rather than the camera, the team that sent them packing from the World Cup prepared for their next adventure, a tussle against the side ranked No.1 in the world. In some people's eyes, Bangladesh have overachieved merely by being here at the business end of the tournament, but a young team untouched by the fear of failure expects far more from itself.

The expectation extends to the fans as well, though reports of Habibul Bashar's effigy being burnt are all the more disturbing in a tournament that has already felt the cold hand of death. To be fair, most of the fans are not the moronic kind, and Bashar accepts that harsh words will be inevitable as the team mixes it with the big boys.

"It's not so much pressure, it's more expectation," he said on the eve of the game. "We expected to do a lot better in the last two games. We've been playing good cricket. The pressure should not be used as an excuse."

The one issue that has divided the media and fans alike is the jettisoning of Shahriar Nafees, the exciting opening batsman who is also vice captain. Some publicly queried why Bashar hadn't dropped himself, and he fended off the question with a smile when asked about it. "If you don't do well, criticism will be there," he said with reference to his own form. "As for Nafees, he needed a break. He's not in the best of form."

Nafees is not part of the 12 to take on South Africa either, and Bashar revealed that the decision was taken only after talking to the batsman himself. "We had a word with him, and he thinks the break will help him."

With fast bowler Tapash Baisya ruled out, Bangladesh will once again rely on Mashrafe Mortaza and Syed Rasel for breakthroughs with the new ball, though hopes of an upset will undoubtedly depend on the form shown by the three left-arm spinners who took six wickets against India.

"These are great players," said Bashar when asked whether he felt there was a South African frailty against spin that could be exploited. "When we played India, we were up against those considered the best players of spin. It's all about how you play on the day. But yes, they [South Africa] don't play on slow tracks often."

The surface at the new stadium in Providence is certainly not lightning quick, and South Africa may well draft in Andre Nel for his extra pace. Bangladesh's batting imploded against three of the best sides in the competition - Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand - and Bashar is more than aware that a huge improvement will be required to stave off the sort of shellacking that will have critics questioning their Test status yet again.

"The gameplan is to keep wickets in hand," he said. "We need runs from the top five, and one person to bat through the innings. We can repeat that performance [against India]. I believe that."

Inevitably, much of the media attention centred around rumours that Dav Whatmore is on top of India's coaching wish-list. Having put his interest in the job on record, Bangladesh's board has been forced to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the situation. The story has the potential to snowball into a massive distraction over the coming days, and Bashar was understandably reluctant to say too much about it.

"He's been working very hard with us, and given no indication that he's not enjoying himself here," he said. "I don't want to talk too much about his thoughts. It's purely for him to decide. But our performance shows what kind of hard work he has put in."

Bangladesh vs South Africa, Super Eights, Guyana

Smith expects no easy-pickings

Dileep Premachandran in Antigua

April 6, 2007


Graeme Smith is aware of Bangladesh's strengths, given their three-pronged spin attack Getty Images




When they arrived in Guyana, South Africa were well aware that nothing less than six points would suffice as they sought to seal a place in the last four of the World Cup. Having stumbled on home soil four years ago, failure is not an option for the team's stalwarts, many of whom won't be around in four years time.

Ahead of Saturday's game against Bangladesh, South Africa are right on course to leave Georgetown with the perfect record that they desire, having held off Sri Lanka in a thrilling finish before outclassing Ireland. Bangladesh, who upset India in the opening phase, haven't come close to beating South Africa before, but Graeme Smith was taking nothing for granted on a slow pitch that may aid the opposition's strengths.

"Bangladesh base a lot of their attack on their three spinners," he said, no doubt aware of the six wickets that they combined for against India. "They have a very young batting line-up that has been a bit unpredictable throughout the tournament. They have played aggressive at times and been defensive at others. I think they are caught a little in between on how they should play."

Victory over India increased the expectations back in Bangladesh to high-rise levels, and subsequent disappointments against Australia and New Zealand resulted in Habibul Bashar, the captain, being subjected to harsh criticism. Smith clearly doesn't envy his opposite number, but suggested that such things might be par for the course now that Bangladesh are no longer looked upon as a minnow.

"Now that they are in the Super Eight, there is a lot of pressure on them from back home to still carry on beating top teams," he said. "It's a different environment for them now, with their nation believing they should be winning these games more and more often."

South Africa had thumped India 4-0 at home in November, and there's no doubt that playing Bangladesh in their place represents a bit of a step into the unknown. "We watched a bit of the India game," said Smith. "They are a team, that if you give them any chance, they will pounce at it. You have got to start really well against them, and put them on the back foot as early as you can. You give them a sniff and they have got players who, under Dav Whatmore, have learnt how to win games."

Apart from the spin trio, Bangladesh's hopes rest largely with the young batting line-up that eclipsed India's much-feted one. "They are young and sometimes don't think about the situation they are in," said Smith, who himself was pitched into the big time pretty early. "They play with that sort of freedom.

"Due to their unpredictable nature, they can get off to a fast start, but can also collapse at times. I think it's about remaining calm against these sort of teams, who are unpredictable."

South Africa have four games in the next 10 days, and with fatigue bound to become an issue, there might be a couple of changes against Bangladesh. Andr Nel should come into the reckoning, with Charl Langeveldt likely to make way, and Robin Peterson will also come into the equation if the think-tank decides that Makhaya Ntini requires a small break before bigger challenges.

"There are crucial games coming up for us," said Smith. "We have two games in Grenada against New Zealand and West Indies, and we need to step up going into the meat of the World Cup. We don't want do-or-die games against bigger teams."

The winner-take-all game that they'd love is a final against Australia, but Smith is wary of looking too far into the future. "It's the final most guys dream of," he admitted. "But the important thing is reaching the semi-finals."

Bangladesh's priority, as Whatmore said on Wednesday, is to avoid finishing last in the Super Eights. It makes for a fascinating tussle, between an ever-improving side with everything to gain and another that truly believes that they can go all the way after the heartbreaks of 1992 and '99.

'Why worry, when I have faced Australian and New Zealand bowlers?'

Saqibul not in awe of South Africa's bowling

AFP

April 6, 2007



Saqibul Hasan is not intimidated by South Africa's assortment of pacers and seamers AFP



Saqibul Hasan, the young allrounder, may be one of the less experienced Bangladesh campaigners, but he will not be intimidated by South Africa's array of talent when the two sides clash on April 7 in Guyana. Though he will face an attack comprising Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Jacques Kallis and Andrew Hall, Saqibul, 20, insisted that the quartet did not impress him.

"Why worry, when I have faced Australian and New Zealand bowlers? Why would I worry about the South Africans?" he said, adding that he's watched every South African bowler on television and was looking forward to facing them for the first time. "I just want to play my natural game and will treat every ball on merit. They [South Africans] are good bowlers who bowl line and length and I have watched them since the 1999 World Cup."

Saqibul's most polished innings was a match-winning 53 in Bangladesh's five-wicket win over India in the first round. That win became the basis of Bangladesh's surprise qualification for the Super Eights, something Saqibul will remember for the rest of his life.

"It's a good memory and it will live for ever," he said. "I was confident that I would get runs and now I hope that I will get the big one again. That innings against India made me realise that I can score against big teams and good bowling."

Despite his success in the Caribbean, it was football, and not cricket, which was his family sport when he was growing up as his father and a cousin both played at domestic level. But watching Bangladesh winning the ICC Trophy in 1999 sparked a huge cricket interest in the boy who became the only cricketer to come from the small town of Magura in Khulna district.

Saqibul rose from the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka and since making his debut against Zimbabwe - both last year - has hit three half-centuries and a hundred in 25 one-day internationals with an impressive average of 49.75. "I am enjoying the World Cup a lot but we all know that there is still a lot of work to do and we hope to finish on a high note," he said.

Hodge and Johnson fight for Watson's spot

Symonds offers to lift his pace

Cricinfo staff

April 7, 2007



Brad Hodge has been keeping busy as he waits for another opportunity Getty Images



Andrew Symonds is prepared to employ his medium-pace to help Australia cover the loss of Shane Watson against England on Sunday. Symonds, who has delivered only offspin since returning from arm surgery, hopes to be back to full bowling fitness in time for the match as the team runs through its options after losing an allrounder.

Mitchell Johnson is a chance of coming in but if Symonds is able to increase his pace it opens the way for Brad Hodge to return. "I'm not far off," Symonds said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "With Shane being injured, I think it is just a bit of cushioning for Ricky Ponting if he needs to have someone else to go to for medium-pace in a Powerplay or something, or just wants to change it up a bit."

Watson is due to have a review on his injured left calf and James Hopes, the Queensland allrounder, has been placed on standby in Australia. While Hopes waits for a phone call, Hodge is desperate for a recall after scoring a century against The Netherlands before being squeezed out by Symonds.

Hodge has been staying in shape by undergoing a draining exercise program. "It's pretty much the only way to keep yourself sane when you are running the drinks most of the time," Hodge said in The Australian. "I just think it's an important part of training.

"You have got to keep yourself mentally ready and quite strong. I am just trying to keep myself as busy and as fit as I possibly can." If Australia decide to pick Johnson and attack England with four fast bowlers then Hodge will spend more time on the sidelines.

"It's a couple of nervous days ahead," Hodge said. "I guess the good thing is I have played well over the last two months. The confidence is definitely there. It's just a matter of seeing which way the side fits best, and hopefully I'll get a game."

England consider recalling Strauss

Posted 29 minutes ago in World Cup 2007


Andrew Strauss and Ed Joyce might be swapping spots Getty Images


Michael Vaughan is not bothered that Andrew Strauss hasn't played in the tournament as he considers him as an opener for the match against Australia, AFP reports.

"We've discussed it already and we have an idea of the way we are going to go because it is an area of concern," Vaughan said. "We haven't been firing at the top of the order and we have been putting batsmen under pressure. But there have been stages when we have been getting to good positions as well and not going on."
Robert Craddock writes in The Australian Ricky Ponting's team has the chance to end Michael Vaughan's one-day career. "England will be all but out of the World Cup if Australia wins and Vaughan, who has an ordinary one-day record, is likely to go down with the ship."

Peeved by coach's interest in India in midst of World Cup campaign

Bangladesh board to discuss Whatmore's future

Cricinfo staff

April 6, 2007



The BCB will speak to Dav Whatmore first before the meeting on April 10 AFP



Following Dav Whatmore's statements to the media about his interest in coaching India, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have convened an emergency meeting on April 10 to discuss his future as coach of Bangladesh.

After Greg Chappell resigned as coach of India, Whatmore told an Indian news channel that he would be interested in taking over as Chappell's successor should the opportunity come his way. The BCB were particularly critical of the timing of Whatmore's comments, given that it occurred in the middle of Bangladesh's World Cup campaign, adding that it would only distract the team. Whatmore's contract runs till May.

"We've convened an emergency meeting of the board on April 10 when we will discuss the Dav Whatmore issue," Mahbub Anam, the BCB general secretary, told AFP. "We have read some of his interviews in the media. Before the meeting, we will talk to him about these interviews and reports. And then we will discuss all the issues in the meeting."

Whatmore is credited with Bangladesh's improved showing in the World Cup, having knocked India out of Group B to secure a place in the Super Eights. Anam praised Whatmore's work behind the scenes and said the effort to persuade Whatmore to take over the Bangladesh side in 2003 was finally paying off.

"It was a tremendous performance," Anam added. "We set the goal of winning a place in the Super Eights and we have just won that. Definitely it was a great performance by the team and the coach. We had to chase him for months. Under him the team has grown. We are no longer the same old team."