The Hindu : Sport : India completes formalities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 14, 2004

Sport

Sport

India completes formalities

By Sanjay Rajan

HAVIN' THEM HOPPIN': Man of the Match Irfan Pathan, who bowled India to a big victory with his maiden 10-wicket haul in Tests, has Bangladesh tail-ender Tapash Baisya taking evasive action to a bouncer on the fourth day. — Photo: V.V. Krishnan

DHAKA, DEC. 13. Bangladesh's coach, Dav Whatmore, put the series in perspective after his side lost the first Test of the Videocon series to India by an innings and 140 runs, 29 minutes into the fourth day at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Monday.

"We are not looking at the result. What we are trying to do is dig into and tease out the actual reasons for our bad performances," said the man who guided Sri Lanka to success in the 1996 World Cup. It was Bangladesh's 19th innings defeat and 30th loss in 33 Tests, since entering the Test fold in 2000.

"The new ball did the damage in both innings. It was plain to see for everyone. It becomes very difficult once you lose three or four wickets in the first 10 overs. One cannot quite come back after that," said the former Australian cricketer.

Whatmore, however, believes that the country is moving in the right direction. "Contrary to what people think, I honestly feel that the talent available in this country is the same that you get anywhere else in the sub-continent.

Plea for patience

"What we need is tougher competition to help make the right decisions during pressure situations in international cricket. The on-field decisions that the team makes during tight phases are not quite right. It is very easy for people to say our technique is wrong. That's not at all correct," he said.

Having been associated with the team for more than a year now, Whatmore asks for those involved with Bangladesh cricket to be a little more patient.

"Look, we came close to winning in Multan a while ago. All this talk about Bangladesh making a mockery of Test cricket is absolute rubbish. I say it is shallow thinking. Believe me, these are dangerous comments. One needs to understand where Bangladesh is globally, before making such rash statements."

Whatmore was, however, pleased with the spirit the lower-order batsmen displayed. "It was good to see the tail wag a little, especially the half century by Manjarul Islam. Opener Nafis Iqbal's and Islam's efforts are their personal best. I hope they use the experience gained to get better."

The Australian felt his side should try and not hand over the advantage to the opposition early. "We need to keep it even for a while. You just cannot give in early, specially against quality opposition."

About the positives from the outing, he said, "The main one has been the wonderful return of young speedster Mashrafe Mortaza. It has been a long time coming. There have also been a couple of boys who have shown they can get a start and go on with it. We also know we are creating chances when we bowl. And that's very encouraging. If you remember, we could have been in a much healthier position after India was down 68 for three. I agree our catching left a lot to be desired. It happens sometimes. We are usually safe catchers."

Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly, echoed Whatmore's views about Bangladesh cricket, saying, "This is a pretty young team. I think most of these boys need to be persisted with. They will get better with experience. This is a different side from the one we played in the inaugural Test four years ago. Those guys had been around for quite some time. Experience plays a big part in international cricket."

About the opposition's performance, Ganguly said, "Bangladesh played well in patches. Bowled pretty well in the first session on the second day, picked up three quick wickets. The team is still in the learning process, these are early days."

It was Ganguly's 17th victory as captain. He said his side was never short of motivation. "It's Test cricket after all. Mind you, we were 68 for three at one point," he said.

Ganguly elaborated, "I think every Test series is important. We have done very well in Test cricket in the last few years. We need to keep winning, needed to win this one as well."

On missing a century (he made 71), the skipper said, "It's obviously disappointing. Through the year, I've got starts but failed to convert them all."

Regarding Irfan Pathan's match-haul of 11 for 96, the left-hander said, "You've been watching him. He is getting better with every game. He's just 20 years old, has to shoulder the pace attack for quite some time."

There is the possibility of the reserves getting a look-in at Chittagong. "It is definitely an option. There are some young guys in the team. Gives us the opportunity to find out more about the newcomers. The pitch here was good. I hope a similar one is provided there," he said.

Pathan was adjudged the Man of the Match. The second Test begins on December 17.

SCOREBOARD

BANGLADESH
— 1st innings: 184

INDIA — 1st innings: 526

BANGLADESH — 2nd innings:

J. Omar lbw b Pathan 4

(2m, 3b, 1x4)

N. Iqbal lbw b Kumble 54

(152m, 111b, 9x4)

H. Bashar c Zaheer
b Pathan
12

(28m, 15b, 2x4)

R. Saleh lbw b Pathan 0

(1m, 3b)

M. Ashraful lbw b Pathan 0

(7m, 5b)

K. Mashud c Kaarthick
b Pathan
5

(25m, 17b)

Manjural Islam
c Kaarthick
b Zaheer
69

(160m, 116b, 12x4)

M. Rahman c Dravid
b Harbhajan
6

(9m, 3b, 1x4)

Md. Rafique c Sehwag
b Kumble
11

(17m, 15b, 2x4)

T. Baisya c Tendulkar
b Pathan
29

(47m, 35b, 5x4)

M. Mortaza (not out) 0

(4m, 1b)

Extras (nb-5, w-2, lb-5) 12

— —

Total (in 53.2 overs) 202

— —

Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Omar), 2-24 (Bashar), 3-24 (Saleh), 4-24 (Ashraful), 5-36 (Mashud), 6-100 (Iqbal), 7-117 (Rahman), 8-133 (Rafique), 9-202 (Baisya).