KINGSTOWN:
West Indies and Bangladesh commence a two-Test series at the Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent on Friday with the hosts heavily favoured to extend their dominance over the visitors from the preceding limited-over matches.
The visitors may take some heart in returning to the scene of an historic Test triumph over a severely depleted Caribbean side on their last campaign in the region five years ago.
However, their performances in last month’s ODIs, where they were swept 3-0 and were only really competitive in the first match, hardly bodes well for this fixture and the following Test in St Lucia.
Usually strong in the spin-bowling department, Bangladesh go into the brief series without their hero from the 2009 tour, left-arm spinning all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, who remains unavailable for national duty after being suspended for disciplinary violations.
To make matters worse, skipper Mushfiqur Rahim will not be able to call on the services of off-spinner Sohag Gazi, whose bowling action was reported as suspect by the umpires during the second ODI in Grenada.
He has since returned home and his place is to be taken by the left-arm spinner Elias Sunny, although it is questionable whether he will be match-fit for the first Test.
Given their limited bowling resources, Bangladesh’s best chance of avoiding being trampled by the West Indies again will be for their batsmen to rise to the occasion on what are expected to be placid pitches for the two Tests.
“Our realistic goal would be to draw the game,” Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha told ESPNcricinfo. “If we play well, bat well, we will be in the game. Our bowling stock is limited. We must look to bat deep and bat long, score runs and be in the game.”
In only his third month, Hathurusingha has so far seen five ODI defeats.
“We are working hard on the morale,” he said. “It is not an aspect that can be changed overnight. It has to come from our action, not only from the coach and players but from everyone involved in cricket.
“We are working on that.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 5th, 2014.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ