Sunday, April 09, 2006
TOUGH NUTS
Andrew Ramsey’s preview of the First Test between Australia and Bagladesh:
In what can only be described as the equivalent of smashing a betel nut with a brick, Australia is considering unleashing a five-man bowling attack against minnow Bangladesh when the first Test begins on Sunday.
Some betel nut. Despite that five-man attack, Bangladesh has torn 144 runs off Australia before lunch on the first day for the loss of just one wicket. Shane Warne is 0/38 after six overs.
UPDATE. Will Swanton in the Sun-Herald (not online):
The doddles against Bangladesh will last about two days each and probably involve only one hit each for the Australians. Runs will flow freely. Taking the new ball for Bangladesh will be some bloke who goes by the name of Shahadat Hossain. It may as well be the Blue Wiggle ... any batsman who doesn’t average 100 against that mob shouldn’t be let back in the country.
Imagine the media outrage if an Australian cricketer said anything like that.
UPDATE II. Score with 40 overs remaining: 1/237. Some bloke who goes by the name of Shahriar Nafees is 120 not out. Warne 0/84 (off 13 overs).
UPDATE III. Warne has his century. Bangladesh 2/265.
UPDATE IV. Mohammad Ashraful takes seven runs off a Warne over, 16 off MacGill, then is out to Gillespie; 29 from 28 deliveries.
UPDATE V. Bangladesh 4/300 off 69.1 overs.