Bangladesh - back to the basics

To become technically sound in cricket takes a lot of hard work, over a long period of time. The earlier the basics are learnt and practiced the better. When the game was played mainly by England, Australia and West Indies, with South Africa, India, New Zealand and Pakistan also participating, there was a great emphasis of becoming technically sound to reach the top. Although the West Indies played their brand of “calypso” cricket, most of the basic principles were not overlooked. Then there was no limited over cricket.

Bangladesh, have completed a three test series against Sri Lanka and a one day game. They have been completely outplayed in the lot. Having witnessed every game, my opinion is that they lack the technique to play against top teams in the world. All three major departments, batting, bowling and fielding, involves technique must be embraced. Of the three, batting requires the most attention.

It has been the area that Bangladesh has been exposed most. Where do they go from here? There is a saying, “you can’t teach old dogs, new tricks” Shariar Nafees, Thushar Imran, Javed Omar, Tamim Iqbal, Saqib Ul Hassan, Mohamed Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, are their main batsmen in both forms of the game.

Ashraful, has got a lot right when it comes to technique. He struggles with shot selection, tending to attack deliveries which should be played with more care. His latest dismissal – attempting to hook Dilhara Fernando, after having made four runs and getting caught at fine leg, tells the story. He is in an unenviable position. At age twenty two, he is the captain and the number one batsman. He needs far greater support from his top order, to survive and score runs consistently.

Eighteen year old Mushfiqur Rahim, the wicket keeper batsman, is definitely a player for the future. Like his captain he has the foundation to build on. He should not be inhibited with the team’s performance. He must charter his own course and work towards further improving as a batsman and keeper.

The rest of the batsmen have to go back to school. A majority of them are young enough to tinker with their game. It will take hours and hours of work – in a Geoff Boycott manner, to get them to the level, where they could compete with the best bowlers in the world.

Lack of temperament has also been mentioned about their batting. Again, should your technique be sound, then accumulating runs becomes possible. Picking up singles, putting balls into gaps to collect two’s. making the most of full tosses, long hops and half volleys, all become easier with correct technique. When the runs keep coming, then temperament also improves. Its all about runs – when the runs dry up the mind becomes restless.

Medium quick bowlers, Mushfiqur Mortaza, Syed Razel and Shodart Hossein, are young and have potential to work on. They have to get stronger to bowl a few yards quicker and develop the art of moving the ball consistently in the air and off the pitch. They must also have conducive conditions at home to develop their trade.

To put it bluntly, the spin department is poor. With Mohamed Rafique coming to the end of his career, at age thirty seven, the cupboard is bare. The present duo of left armers, Razak and Hassan will have to do heaps of work with a specialist spin bowling coach to get anywhere. An overall view of Bangladesh cricket, paints the picture, that they have a long way to go in one day cricket and an even longer way to go in test cricket. Winning an occasional one day game or two is not the answer to producing a competitive national team.

The answer is to educate players at all levels on all aspects of the game. Build technically sound players in all three departments of the game. Be concerned with performing big – scoring centuries, taking five wicket hauls. Bangladesh must take their two World Cup wins as a stepping stone to develop their game overall. Not falsely believe they have come of age, but strive to raise the bar continuously.