With the tour of England coming to a close very shortly, we move on to a two test tour of Bangladesh (and one tour match).
Bangladesh have recently had very some good results at home, drawing a test series with South Africa (heavily rain affected) but more impressively, defeating them in an ODI series. They also defeated India and whitewashed Pakistan in respective ODI series, as well as drawing all but one test against said opponents.
Have Bangladesh finally turned that corner that they've been threatening to for 4/5 years? Their senior players in Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal are always a threat, and Mahmudullah has been in the best form of his career. But have they finally found a genuinely good fast bowler that isn't Mashrafe Mortaza?
Mustafizur Rahman, just turned 20 a week ago, averages 14 in tests and 12 in ODIs. Dismantled India and South Africa on the spin friendly wickets over there. Has taken two 6-fas in ODIs already. Keeps the RPO low as well. Will be playing a big part no doubt, and has another youngster in Mohammad Shahid as his new ball partner. These two have a huge chance to expose an inexperienced top order, with Warner ruled out and Rogers retiring. Unless injured, I doubt any other fast bowlers will play the two tests, with Rubel averaging close to 80 in tests, and Shahadat Hossian being suspended by the Cricket Board whilst under police investigation for allegedly assaulting his 11 year old house keeper (wtf is it legal to have child house keepers over there??)
Bangladesh also have a plethora of spinners at their disposal. Whether they're international standard is another thing. Jubair Hossain, Shuvagata Hom and Taijul Islam were the preferred trio during the recent home summer, however Taijul was the only threatening one (bar one good innings from Jubair).
On our end of it, between the 5th Ashes test and the 1st test here, Clarke, Rogers & Haddin have retired and Warner is injured. This means we'll have a completely new opening pair. Bancroft is favourite to be one of them, but who is the other? Joe Burns is a potential candidate, and even Usman Khawaja has been thrown up as one too.
Another question is, how does our batting lineup go? Who bats where? We have fair few holes to fill now. Does SMarsh get another crack at 4? Does Burns open or bat at 4/6? Where's Mitch Marsh bat (or does he even play?), do we bother with Khawaja? Does Voges go up the order? Are we gonna be beaten? Luckily our bowling is far better stocked, Starc was the pick of them in England, Hazlewood looks the goods, Cummins isn't getting injured, Pattoman is back (although bowling pies), Siddle returned to test cricket with a lazy 9 or 10 wicket match. Plus we've may have found a second spinner who isn't 35 and average, with Agar bowling well for Aus A and bowling well on his ODI debut in England.
3 day tour Match: Oct. 3-5
1st Test: Oct. 9-13
2nd Test: Oct. 17-21
How I'd line up first test:
Bancroft
Burns
Smith
Khawaja
Voges
MMarsh
Nevill
Agar
Starc/Siddle/Johnson
Hazlewood
Lyon
Bangladesh have recently had very some good results at home, drawing a test series with South Africa (heavily rain affected) but more impressively, defeating them in an ODI series. They also defeated India and whitewashed Pakistan in respective ODI series, as well as drawing all but one test against said opponents.
Have Bangladesh finally turned that corner that they've been threatening to for 4/5 years? Their senior players in Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim and Tamim Iqbal are always a threat, and Mahmudullah has been in the best form of his career. But have they finally found a genuinely good fast bowler that isn't Mashrafe Mortaza?
Mustafizur Rahman, just turned 20 a week ago, averages 14 in tests and 12 in ODIs. Dismantled India and South Africa on the spin friendly wickets over there. Has taken two 6-fas in ODIs already. Keeps the RPO low as well. Will be playing a big part no doubt, and has another youngster in Mohammad Shahid as his new ball partner. These two have a huge chance to expose an inexperienced top order, with Warner ruled out and Rogers retiring. Unless injured, I doubt any other fast bowlers will play the two tests, with Rubel averaging close to 80 in tests, and Shahadat Hossian being suspended by the Cricket Board whilst under police investigation for allegedly assaulting his 11 year old house keeper (wtf is it legal to have child house keepers over there??)
Bangladesh also have a plethora of spinners at their disposal. Whether they're international standard is another thing. Jubair Hossain, Shuvagata Hom and Taijul Islam were the preferred trio during the recent home summer, however Taijul was the only threatening one (bar one good innings from Jubair).
On our end of it, between the 5th Ashes test and the 1st test here, Clarke, Rogers & Haddin have retired and Warner is injured. This means we'll have a completely new opening pair. Bancroft is favourite to be one of them, but who is the other? Joe Burns is a potential candidate, and even Usman Khawaja has been thrown up as one too.
Another question is, how does our batting lineup go? Who bats where? We have fair few holes to fill now. Does SMarsh get another crack at 4? Does Burns open or bat at 4/6? Where's Mitch Marsh bat (or does he even play?), do we bother with Khawaja? Does Voges go up the order? Are we gonna be beaten? Luckily our bowling is far better stocked, Starc was the pick of them in England, Hazlewood looks the goods, Cummins isn't getting injured, Pattoman is back (although bowling pies), Siddle returned to test cricket with a lazy 9 or 10 wicket match. Plus we've may have found a second spinner who isn't 35 and average, with Agar bowling well for Aus A and bowling well on his ODI debut in England.
3 day tour Match: Oct. 3-5
1st Test: Oct. 9-13
2nd Test: Oct. 17-21
How I'd line up first test:
Bancroft
Burns
Smith
Khawaja
Voges
MMarsh
Nevill
Agar
Starc/Siddle/Johnson
Hazlewood
Lyon
