1st Test: Bangladesh v New Zealand at Chittagong, Oct 9-13, 2013

[Helmet Man]

Should be a good match up. NZ had a 2 month rest since the T20s in England. Apparently they were continously playing spinners for 20 days in Sri Lanka to prepare themselves against the Bangers spinners. They are obviously coming into the test matches prepared.

Bangladesh have had a 5 month rest from international cricket (which is think is disgraceful with the FTP) so i'm not too confident on how they will perform.

It has been raining in Chittagong so i think Day 1 might be rained out.

 

[Helmet Man]

So far a spin fest. The attack has been too stale from Bangladesh. Razzak is bowling wicket to wicket without any variation. Sohag isn't doing a bad job. NZ had to work real hard for their runs.

 

[Helmet Man]

NZ are motoring along too easily now.

 

[African Monkey]

easy batting conditions it must be said. you'd be kicking yourself if you don't score heavily on this wicket.

 

[Helmet Man]

easy batting conditions it must be said. you'd be kicking yourself if you don't score heavily on this wicket.

Yeah no doubt. No swing/seam and not much spin either. Hopefully BD take advantage of the conditions when they come on to bat. Mushfiqur, Nasir, Tamim, Mominul should all be very comfortable with the conditions. Shakib has been out of form with the bat for a while so not sure how he will handle it.

Excited to see how Marshall Ayub goes at #3 as he had a tremendous domestic season. He scored 1000+ runs in one season at an average of 71.26 with 4 centuries and also a high score of 289. I'm hoping he is the guy to fill the massive gap at #3 for Bangladesh.

Great comeback by Bangladesh at the end of day's play. They will have a lot of confidence coming into Day 2.

 

[Helmet Man]

One thing i hate about Mushfiqur's captaincy is that he over bowls his "preferred bowler". Bowling Razzak 30 overs is a bit too much. Nasir got a wicket in his first over and only bowled two overs. Should be given 10 overs. Also Nasir has been bowling very well in domestic one dayers so the skipper should have persisted with him from the start. Also Mushfiq needed to bowl Robiul more overs. His bowling changes are very questionable.

Robiul has been a great find for Bangladesh. Looked like a possessed man during the tour of Zim and he is continuing this form against NZ. I remember his debut against England at Lords and his bowling was f**king disgraceful. His action was horrible with a dodgy way of planting his foot during his delivery stride. I read he worked really hard with his action in the national academy and now he has transformed himself. Great to see a guy put in the effort to get the desired results.

Rubel however hasn't been too bad in this test match so far but a test average of 70+ just isn't good enough. Rubel should be dropped from tests asap and either Al-Amin or Taskin Ahmed need to be in the national team to pair up with Robiul.

 

[Helmet Man]

Should have wrapped up NZ for 350 runs. Whats happening now is just depressing to watch.

 

[Timbo]

Awfully dead pitch. My opinion of Watling continues to grow, he's a real fighter.

 

[TheParraboy]

Should have wrapped up NZ for 350 runs. Whats happening now is just depressing to watch.

yup you would have thought at 7/282 or 8/339. This is Boults maiden 50 in FC or internationals, further depressing the Bangers

hopefully Bangers can bat for two days and enforce a draw, their only good result they can achieve here now

 

[Helmet Man]

Finally the last man gets out. Even though the last wicket stand was huge, NZ were VERY VERY lucky to get away with two decisions that were absolutely plumb.

Sad how DRS is never available for Bangladesh. I reckon they need it more than anyone other country in world cricket. Some of the umpiring decisions that go against them is just disgraceful.

 

[MKEB...]

you have to remember that boult is certainly no chris martin batting-wise as well

 

[Helmet Man]

And Tamim departs... why play such a drive so early in the innings. We needed our senior batsmen to stand and fight.

Just sad.

 

[Helmet Man]

Marshall Ayub on debut and already looking comfortable. He was the Donald Bradman of Bangladesh's domestic comp last season with an average of 71.

 

[Helmet Man]

How lucky is Anamul? Plays a nothing shot to get caught behind but it was a no ball.

 

[Helmet Man]

Anamul's luck ran out. He is gone. But credit to the bowler, that was a great delivery to get him LBW.

Bangladesh to crumble under 200 runs. Only capable players in the lineup are now Mushfiq and Nasir. Shakib is woefully out of form with the bat so i don't expect anything from him at the moment.

Dont know how Mominul and Ayub will go. Testing times for the debutant.

 

[Helmet Man]

And this is why i have rated the youngster Mominul for ages now (only in tests though). Dimunitive, pocket dynamo is how i would describe him. Has a very good technique.

But just needs to be a bit wary about balls outside off because he tries to drive every ball outside off. That kind of mindset wont work in Aussie conditions.

 

[Xfactor1979]

you have to remember that boult is certainly no chris martin batting-wise as well

He is a dasher in the same category as Mike Whitney though :lol:

 

[Helmet Man]

Mominul Haque 43 runs off 26 balls.

Strike rate of 165.38

Might seem like he is lashing at everything but he has been timing them well whilst playing some really good cricketing shots.

Go hard son !

 

[Helmet Man]

Bangladesh finish in a good position at the end of day 2. Considering the early collapse they have done a good job in building a partnership. BD chances of winning are slim so they need to bat out as many days possible to get a draw.

Day 3 should be interesting.

 

[TheParraboy]

Haque scoring over a run a ball for his 77no 13 boundaries, is it poor bowling or selective despatching the bad balls?

Hope he goes on with it tomorrow for a huge ton