Bangladesh face moment of reckoning
Rattled Bangladesh tackle resurgent England in a make-or-break Group B match today where defeat will almost certainly end their World Cup campaign before the quarter-finals.
The Tigers have just one win in three games and failure today will mean they will have just a slim chance of advancing to the last-eight from a group that includes India, South Africa and the West Indies. England will qualify if they beat Bangladesh and the West Indies down Ireland in Mohali earlier in the day.
Uninspiring cricket
Bangladesh, who began the tournament ranked eighth in One-Day International (ODI) cricket, have played uninspiring cricket so far, leaving millions of their fans angry and frustrated.
The Tigers crashed to their lowest One-Day International total of 58 against the West Indies, losing the game by nine wickets. Memories of a dream run in the Caribbean four years ago, when they knocked out India in the first round and then stunned South Africa in the Super Eights, have faded.
Opener Tamim Iqbal and captain Shakibal Hasan are the only batsmen to score half-centuries in the tournament. Left-arm spinner Hasan has three and off-break bowler Naeem Islam two. Batsman Junaid Siddique said the team looked forward to a fresh start against England.
“We want to forget the
past and want to look forward,” he said. “If we play to our potential we can beat anyone.”
England keep opening choice under wraps
England captain Andrew Strauss is staying tight-lipped over his new opening partner for today’s clash. Strauss needs a new partner for the rest of the tournament after Kevin Pietersen returned home to undergo hernia surgery.
“I’m very clear in my mind who will open, but will not say before the game has started,” said Strauss. “We’re not nailed on playing the same combination all through. There’s no reason why we can’t change.”
The choice is likely to be limited to Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara or wicket-keeper Matt Prior, who are all essentially middle-order batsmen but capable of having a hit at the start.
Strauss also refused to comment on speculation that England will play a third slow bowler in off-spinner James Tredwell to partner Graeme Swann and left-armer Michael Yardy.
“We will pick the right side,” the captain said. “We need to judge how the wicket will play.”
Tremlett confirmed for World Cup
The International Cricket Council (ICC) approved England’s giant fast-bowler Chris Tremlett as a World Cup replacement for Stuart Broad. Broad was ruled out for the rest of the tournament after suffering a side strain last Sunday.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2011.
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