Five-bowler strategy a positive sign for Bangladesh

Playing five bowlers paid off for Bangladesh late on the first day in Chittagong, and it's a combination is likely to work better for them in Test cricket

Bangladesh's decision to field five bowlers is one that the team management should be encouraged to take more often. This Test was the second occasion when they tried out such a combination in the past four years, and they were rewarded instantly.

Shakib Al Hasan and Abdur Razzak got the late wickets of centurion Kane Williamson and Brendan McCullum to leave New Zealand on 280 for 5. The day mostly belonged to the visitors but, with the extra bowler, Mushfiqur dared to take the second new ball as soon as it was available. He wasn't intending to use both pacers at the time, but the harder, newer ball was always going to give the two left-arm spinners more bounce and a little more bite off the pitch.

The addition of Razzak was necessary. Effectively, he replaced Ziaur Rahman in the line-up, but the inclusion of Razzak actually kept Mahmudullah - who has been played as a specialist batsman in Tests recently - out. Mahmudullah's sudden lull in form - 34 runs in his last six Test innings - played against him. He insists that form isn't an issue as he has scored some runs in the Dhaka Premier League, but it is time for Mahmudullah to look for a different role.

As a specialist batsman, he has been employed at No. 8 for ten Tests out of the 17 he has played so far, between 2009 and the first Test against Zimbabwe last May. He has scored 591 runs at this position, including a century and four fifties, averaging 42.21 with a strike-rate of 60.80. The numbers seem fine but it is extremely rare for a team to play a specialist batsman that low down the order. In fact, none of the 29 players who have scored more runs than Mahmudullah there are specialist batsmen. Their stronger suit is bowling or wicketkeeping.

It was always a defensive move, but previous selectors have described it as a necessary move to insulate against top-order collapses. But what it has done in the past is offer too much comfort to the batsmen above Mahmudullah, resulting in him having to clean up the mess with the tail.

Instead, Razzak's presence in the attack means that Shakib can bowl freely and be used sparingly by Mushfiqur. This was probably the first time in the last five years that Shakib wasn't bowling when Bangladesh had spinners attacking from both ends. Sohag Gazi too could be used properly, despite bowling a long first spell.

Bangladesh played four and a half bowlers in their last Test also, which resulted in a 143-run win over Zimbabwe. Ziaur Rahman, who made his debut in that game batting at No. 8 and was asked to bowl his medium-pace, took four wickets in the second innings. Some called it a lucky move because Ziaur's bowling had lost its bite several years ago after a knee injury, but one extra bowler capable of even holding up an end matters for Bangladesh.

With only the four bowlers at his disposal, Mushfiqur often delays making attacking moves. The spinners are usually tired, trying to do both, maintain the run-rate and pick up wickets. The seamers are not fresh, as they have to toil with the old ball from one end. Shakib has had to plug away for 35-40 overs a day, often the only attacking and defensive option.

Moreover, Mushfiqur has to consider the fickle nature of his batting line-up when handling his bowlers. There have been times when the bowlers didn't have the time to have a considerable amount of rest before they had to bowl a second time in the game.

The result of this Test match or the ones that follow should not push the management into thinking that a batsman at No. 8 is necessary. It doesn't add strength to the line-up, it offers unwanted comfort. The Bangladesh top order is aggressive, so those batsmen being made to take on a bit of extra responsibility wouldn't hurt. A second innings chase or a final-day save could be one of those days when the No. 8 would be missed but the onus would fully be on the top seven, enough batsmen for any side.

Most importantly, it is not just runs that would win them a Test match. Five bowlers would give them more opportunities to take the 20 wickets that would actually get them closest to a Test win.

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SA plan on sole spinner for Pakistan Tests

If Claude Henderson, South Africa's spin consultant, had it his way, he would "absolutely," play all the slower bowlers available to him in the two Test series against Pakistan. Head coach Russell Domingo has indicated South Africa will go into the series with just one specialist spinner, likely to be Robin Peterson, but Henderson hopes the others can also play a role.

"It's going to be such a tough decision, especially if we know it will turn square, to decide who to leave out," Henderson said. Along with Peterson, South Africa have recalled Pakistani-born legspinner Imran Tahir to the squad and have the services of JP Duminy, who is set to play a bigger role with the ball.

None of them was able to extract much from the pitch during the practice match in Sharjah - one that Peterson called so flat it is "difficult to tell anything on, in terms of skill level", but Henderson said they've all been hard at work to fight for a Test spot. He was particularly pleased with the progress Tahir had made after being dropped following a dismal showing in the Adelaide Test against Australia last year, when he conceded 260 runs and did not take a wicket.

"It's great to see Imran back after a tough time. It was really brave of him to come back and perform today. He is in a good space at the moment," Henderson said. Tahir got better as the day went on but started with a spell that questioned whether he had made any progression at all. His first spell included too many full tosses and made use of too many variations, but he started to trouble the batsman towards the end of the day as he turned the ball a touch and zoned in on better lengths.

In complete contrast, Peterson needed no time to adjust and immediately did a good holding job. He was also the first bowler to take a wicket. "Robin is improving day by day, in terms of tactics and technically," Henderson said.

Duminy was also economical and created chances towards the end of the day, one just missing Asad Shafiq's outside edge, to endorse Peterson's claim that he is a "genuine wicket-taker." Duminy will likely bowl a significant number of overs in the Test series as South Africa groom him for greater things. "JP is now realising he can bowl and his challenge is now to become a good all-rounder," Henderson said.

With Duminy and Peterson likely to start, South Africa will have two slower bowling options but Peterson confirmed it remains a dream of his to play in an attack with Tahir: "I'd love to play in a Test match for South Africa with two specialist spinners. I love bowling with Imran and I think we work well together."

Despite equipping themselves adequately with spin, South Africa are being realistic about their prowess in that department. When asked to rate his spinners using Pakistan's as a yardstick, Henderson refused. "I won't compare my spinners to anyone else," Henderson said. "I look at a guy and see how he can become the best bowler he can be. I will not say go and be like Saeed Ajmal, because that is the standard."

Even Azhar Ali, the Pakistan No. 3, would not be drawn into talking about the two attacks. An expert blocker, both on the field and in the press conference, he merely said it was "difficult to say" how South Africa's spinners measure up but that it was "enjoyable batting against them." Read what you will into that.

It probably indicates what we all already know: that pace remains South Africa's strength, even on subcontinent-like surfaces. That's why what the fast bowlers ended up with may have had them questioning whether they will be able to get results on tracks on the tour.

Only Morne Morkel took a wicket while Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander were made to work hard. Peterson does not believe the way they performed today is a reflection of how they will do in the coming two weeks. "Dale and Vernon are quality bowlers and when they put on that Test cap and walk over the white line, that's something completely different," Peterson said.

The same has been said of Graeme Smith, who was the only South African in the top five not to score a half-century on the first day of the match. He will cross the boundary rope tomorrow to try and rectify that and show his readiness for next week's Test.

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Pawar to contest Mumbai Cricket Association elections

Sharad Pawar, the former ICC president, has filed his nomination papers for the president's post of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the first official indication of his interest in returning to active cricket administration.

Pawar, who headed the MCA for 10 years, submitted his papers at the MCA office on Wednesday, two days before the deadline for filing nominations for the election, due on October 18. As of now, Pawar, the federal agriculture minister, has a challenger in Gopinath Munde, deputy chief of the principal opposition party in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament. Munde, who was earlier expected to contest the vice-presidency, surprisingly filed his papers for the president's post on Tuesday. The last date for withdrawals of nominations is October 15.

Pawar's anticipated return to cricket administration is considered a significant development not only for the MCA, which is in a financial and administrative mess at the moment, but also in BCCI politics. If elected, Pawar will be eligible to sit in on BCCI meetings, despite acting president Ravi Savant being a BCCI vice-president.

As was evident during his three-year stint as the BCCI president from October 2005, Pawar has the ability to unite the board. With the muddle that the BCCI finds itself in, with president N Srinivasan deciding against standing down on grounds of propriety following his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan's alleged involvement in the IPL corruption scandal, a section within the BCCI is looking up to Pawar to return and start constructing an organised front against Srinivasan.

It is believed that lack of a candidate that could have taken on Srinivasan during last week's BCCI election resulted in Srinivasan being able to exploit the constitutional provisions and retain his seat unopposed for another year. If Pawar is elected as MCA president and can spare "some of his time regularly" over the next year, Srinivasan detractors may be able to pose a threat to his throne ahead of the next year's election.

However, for that to happen, Pawar first has to ensure that he wins the MCA elections, a field of 329 voters, and then shows inclination towards displacing his friend-turned-foe.

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Younis' ton lifts Pakistanis to 317

Pakistanis 317 (Younis 103, A Akmal 71, Raza 2-59) v United Arab Emirates
Scorecard

Younis Khan extended his good run of form with a century for the Pakistani side against the United Arab Emirates in a tour game in Abu Dhabi. The Pakistanis finished the first day of the two-day game at 317 off 86 overs, scoring runs at nearly 3.70 runs per over. The tour game is a preparatory exercise for the Pakistan side ahead of the Test series against South Africa, which starts next week.

Batting first, the Pakistanis lost Khurram Manzoor for 1, but wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal and Younis then added 188 runs for the second wicket. Akmal remained unbeaten on 71 off 136 balls with nine fours, while Younis scored 103 off 160 balls before retiring hurt.

Misbah-ul-Haq got a start, reaching 27 off 44 balls but couldn't carry on for a big score. Abdur Rehman also made a fifty, scoring 52 off 71 balls.

The spinners had most success in the UAE attack. Offspinner Nasir Aziz, left-arm spinner Ahmed Raza and right-arm slow bowler Rohan Mustafa all took two wickets apiece, with Aziz grabbing his wickets in quick succession towards the end of the Pakistani innings.

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'We can't get complacent against Australia' - Rohit

George Bailey's side may be no match for the great Australian teams of recent vintage but Rohit Sharma feels India cannot afford to take them lightly during the seven-match ODI series, given the visitors' experience of playing in Indian conditions.

"They are a very competitive side with most of their players having featured in the IPL and the Champions League," Rohit told PTI. "They know the Indian conditions well. We can't get complacent against them. Australia on a given day are a very dangerous side."

Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson are the only two players in the Australia squad to have featured in more than 100 ODIs but Rohit refused to read too much into the relative inexperience of the others. "They are still a very competitive side," Rohit said. "Their batters are match-winners. We have to be at our best against them."

However, Rohit admitted that Australia would miss their regular captain and most experienced player Michael Clarke, whose chronic back problem has ruled him out of the series.

Following years of largely underwhelming performances in the middle order, Rohit has enjoyed success after being promoted to open the batting this year, and averages 41.42 in 16 ODIs since. However, his strike-rate in those matches dropped to 68.63 compared to a career figure of 75.61. With two new balls being used in ODIs now, Rohit said an opener had to be watchful initially.

"You need to be cautious with the new ball upfront. You have to plan your strategy accordingly. The shot selection becomes important for you as an opener, like what shots you have to play, which areas you have to go after. The new rules are more helpful to bowlers."

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CSA offer first women's contracts

Cricket South Africa will offer central contracts to their women's internationals for the first time this season.

Through the increased investment of CSA's main partner, final services provider Momentum, six players will be afforded contracts. In December 2012, the sponsorship enabled CSA to employ a full-time women's coach, Hilton Moreeng.

In a boost for the women's game, the move sees South Africa join England, Australia, West Indies and Pakistan in centrally contracting some women's internationals.

Captain Mignon du Preez, allrounders Dané van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp, bowlers Marcia Letsoalo and Shabnim Ismail and wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty are the players to benefit in the forthcoming season.

"Momentum once again deserves to be praised for being more than just a major sponsor of cricket in South Africa," CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said. "Involvement is not merely investing money in cricket but goes much further through an impressive social investments programme which seeks to build a society that promotes family values and support for under-privileged cricketers."

Danie van den Bergh, head of Momentum brand, added: "I have said this on previous occasions: nothing unites our country more than success on our fields of play and the more we expose our children to the spirit of the game, the more chance we have of shaping future champions. The heroes of our future are born from the boys and girls that dream about taking to the field for real and not just during match breaks."

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'Our plan against Smith worked' - Amin

Umar Amin, the Pakistan A captain, has something useful to share with the Pakistan senior side ahead of the Tests against South Africa: how to get Graeme Smith out. It took Pakistan A just 15 deliveries to remove the opposition captain, who has been out of the game for five months and will have only one more innings before the series begins. Smith was also the only South African batsmen not to profit from time in the middle on the opening day of the three-day tour match in Sharjah.

He was dropped at first slip off Ehsan Adil in the fifth over before being trapped lbw in the seventh by the same bowler. "We planned something against him and that worked out pretty well today," Amin said. But he would not go any further. "We just wanted to set him up with a plan and I cannot really give you the plan right here."

Amin was more than willing to divulge the secret to Misbah-ul-Haq and Co. "Of course, why not? I'm a part of the senior team as well so I'll definitely give it to them," Amin said.

Because Smith's strength is on the leg side, many bowlers attack him just outside the off stump or try to square him up and he may have wanted more time in the middle to remind himself of that. Although Smith spent little more than 30 minutes at the crease, he held a long net session with coach Russell Domingo in the afternoon. Hashim Amla, who scored a fluent fifty before retiring, said with an attitude such as Smith's, there is no reason to be concerned about the South Africa captain's readiness come the first Test next Monday.

"Graeme will be fine. He is the type of guy," Amla said, before clarifying he meant that as a tongue-in-cheek comment. "He is an amazing opening batsmen and takes his practice very seriously. And there is still a second innings too."

Amla said the rest of the line-up was so satisfied with the outing they had, they would be ready to play the Test tomorrow. "I think the team is good to go, even if we started the Test match tomorrow," Amla said. "Fortunately, everybody got a bat and got some value out of it."

He explained that because many of them had had match practice in the last few months, they used today as a way to adjust to the temperatures and the pace of the pitch. He found the morning the hottest time to bat, but also the easiest, because the spinners had not been able to find any assistance by then. "It was a good batting deck and the seamers were quite nice to face early on," Amla said. "But I think it started turning towards the end of the day and it might have got a little trickier."

Although Usman Qadir, in particular, found generous turn, South Africa's batsmen played him with ease and took runs off all the slower bowlers to show their ability in that department ahead of a Test series that is expected to be headlined by spin.

Amin was not too concerned with the way his young attack was taken on, instead seeing it as a learning curve for them, and not a sign that Saeed Ajmal, Abdur Rehman and Zulfiqur Babar will suffer the same fate. "It wasn't as disappointing because the lack of experience showed," Amin said. "One of the spinners, Usman, is only 20. With the passage of time, I think he'll learn, especially after bowling against one of the best sides in the world."

The same goes for Amin as a leader, especially as he has been touted as a future Pakistan captain. "I enjoyed it, being my first outing with a senior team as a captain," Amin said. "It was a very good experience, especially captaining against some of the top players and trying to set fields according to their weaknesses and giving my bowlers some plans against them."

Not much went Pakistan A's way but the wickets of Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers would have buoyed them, especially after Amla and Alviro Petersen retired after making fifties and it appeared one-way traffic. Amin hoped they can apply themselves with more aggression with ball in hand tomorrow.

"It's definitely our plan to bat for the whole day and play with their confidence a bit and try to shake their confidence," Amin said. "This is our younger side so, if we bat all day, it will give them something to think about."

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Farbrace 'flattered' by Sri Lanka interest

Paul Farbrace had admitted he is "flattered" to have been connected with the role of Sri Lanka coach.

Farbrace, who is currently Yorkshire second XI coach, spent a couple of years as assistant coach to the Sri Lanka side between July 2007 and August 2009, and has now confirmed that he is among those talking to Sri Lanka Cricket about the possibility of succeeding Graham Ford, who leaves the post of head coach when his contract expires in January.

"It's nice to know people think I did a good enough job the last time I was there," Farbrace told ESPNcricinfo. "I think we rose to No. 2 in the Test rankings and No. 2 or 3 in the ODI rankings, so it was a successful period. We were in the final of the World T20 just before I went and the team went on to make it to the final of the World Cup, too.

"I haven't sought the job, but I have had a couple of conversations with people on the Sri Lankan cricket board who sounded out about my interest. I talk to Graham quite often, too. I informed Yorkshire of the conversations and, while I think they want to keep their current coaching group together, they have been very supportive."

Farbrace already has a strong relationship with many of the key figures in Sri Lankan cricket. But he feels his relationship with many of the players was strengthened by his experiences in Lahore in March 2009 when the team bus was attacked by heavily-armed terrorists. Farbrace, whose right arm was hit by shrapnel, was among those injured in the attack.

"I do think that when you experience something like that together, it strengthens bonds," he said. "It was a huge experience and I will be forever grateful for the way the Sri Lankan board and the players supported me when I was recovering.

"The incident had nothing to do with me going. I always felt safe in Sri Lanka - the people are wonderful - and I enjoyed my time there hugely. It's a great country, with great people and a real passion for cricket. I came very close to staying, actually. I even wrote the first letter of my name on the new contract they offered me but, in the end, the lure of being director of cricket at Kent, the club I had been with and supported as a boy, proved too strong."

Farbrace was also keen to reiterate his commitment to Yorkshire and stressed his enthusiasm for his current role. "Yorkshire is a great place to be and I'm not in any way looking to leave," he said. "In fact, the last two years have been as good as any in my career. We have a top team on and off the pitch. I'd very happily stay here for several more years and be a part a club that is going to win trophies.

"But clearly when a top international job crops up, it is interesting. We encourage players to be ambitious and it should be the same for coaches. It's good to want to do as well as you can in your career.

"I'm sure there are many talented coaches in the running for the role and these are early days. But I do have a strong affinity for Sri Lanka and it I'm very flattered to be considered for such a role."

Mark Arthur, Yorkshire's Chief Executive, said: "It is inevitable with the progress Yorkshire has made on the pitch over the last couple of years, and with the number of players representing England at all levels, that our coaches will be in the frame for international appointments, as and when positions become available."

While some reports have also linked Peter Moores, the Lancashire head coach, with the role, the club have stated that Moores is contracted to them until 2015 and they have received no approaches from third parties interested in his services.

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Twelve councillors elected BCB directors

Twelve more councillors have been elected unopposed as directors of the Bangladesh Cricket Board. As a result, there won't be any election for directorship in category 2 of councillors in the October 10 board elections.

This segment of the elections was to determine the directors from the Dhaka clubs, 58 of whom would hold voting powers as councillors. Already, seven directors have been elected unopposed from category 1, those of the districts and divisional councillors.

Enayet Hossain Siraj, Afzalur Rahman Sinha, Ahmed Iqbal Hasan, Mahbubul Anam, Jalal Yunus, Lokman Hossain Bhuiyan, Gazi Golam Mortuza, Tanzil Chowdhury, Nazmul Karim, Najib Ahmed and Shaukat Aziz are the directors-elect from the Dhaka clubs. They are also members of a panel led by Nazmul Hasan, the incumbent BCB president.

Meanwhile, Hasan has withdrawn as a councillor and has been appointed as a BCB director in the National Sports Council quota. Ismail Haider Mallick and Ahmed Sajjadul Alam are the other directors from the quota.

Three directors' position from category 1 will be contested while the only director's post in category 3 will be contested by two former Bangladesh captains, Gazi Ashraf Hossain and Khaled Mahmud.

They will be voted by 45 councillors of category 3 which consists of the educational boards, armed forces and others.

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Pitches and heat a test for SA seamers - Donald

When Allan Donald was last in the UAE, Dubai did not have a single building in the top 50 skyscrapers in the world. It also did not have a metro service, nor did it host international cricket. In 1996, Sharjah was where it all happened.

Donald was a member of the touring squad that played in the Pepsi Cup that year. He was not included in the starting XI for any of the matches so it's hardly a surprise he does not seem to remember much about the place. Instead, it makes him think of somewhere else, where he played two Tests in 1997 and where he gained experience that will come in handy for South Africa's bowlers on this tour.

"The pitches here remind me a lot of the wickets when we played in Pakistan," he said. And there, he recalls, things were not easy for fast men. "As a quick bowler. when times are tough, you have to very imaginative and you've got to be gutsy, Most importantly, the ball has to reverse."

For that reason, Donald, South Africa's bowling coach, believes South Africa will rely on Dale Steyn even more than usual. "There is no one better than him when there is an end open and when he steps up and changes gears. There is no-one better at running through a team than he is," Donald said.

When Steyn last played for South Africa, he endured an injury-riddled time at Champions Trophy in June but has since recovered from five lingering issues. Like many of the players who've had a break, Donald said the time off will have reinvigorated Steyn and made him even more determined. "He is as fresh as I have seen him. He has dealt with his niggles. He is absolutely raring to go," he said. "He is very eager and hungry to make a big impact on this series," Donald said.

With conditions set to provide a challenge to the seamers, Donald still believes the pace barrage, led by Steyn, can have an effect if they stick to a few basic principles. "The new ball will be massive," he said. "When we played in Pakistan, Bob Woolmer taught us that the best chance of getting wickets was upfront because the ball scuffs up a lot quicker so we had to make batsmen play a lot more in the first 20 overs," he said. "We have to figure out how to put a dent in the top order."

South Africa will approach Pakistan with aggression, not just upfront, but throughout the innings. "Lines have got to be straighter, we've got to hit the pitch really hard, bowl a bit fuller than normal and be prepared to sacrifice a few runs. You have to be smart because this is not a place where you can bowl back of length and expect results," he said. "Patience and discipline will be key."

Donald expects South Africa's bowlers to do all of that in temperatures that will soar close to 40 degrees while they are in the field, and he realises it is a big ask. "The extreme heat is going to be testing for us in our fitness and endurance," he admitted. "But there are no excuses. We know what standards we set for ourselves as No.1.team and if we have a bad session, there will be no blaming the conditions and the pitches."

That means the South African bowlers' biggest battle, although it would appear to be physical, is actually going to be mental. "This is the one series which will really test us as a unit because the mental intensity is going to be a big thing," Donald said.

In preparation, South Africa held a meeting on Sunday afternoon to discuss the importance of being psychologically strong enough. "We can't afford not hitting the ground running. Yesterday, Graeme and Russell [Domingo] chatted about how important it is that we don't play catch up cricket."

South Africa have been slow starters in the past but they have managed not to let it trip them up recently. In England, they appeared lethargic on day one of the Oval Test last year before going on to win the match and the series. Australia wore the bowlers down for the better parts of the Brisbane Test in November last year and if not for a day lost to rain, may have been able to win the match but it was South Africa who triumphed at the end of the series in Perth.

Gary Kirsten helped them understand that even if a session does not go their way, the possibility to go for the kill could still remain. Donald said the coach Domingo has continued to enforce the same ideas.

"We spoke about the team culture yesterday and what it means to the players," he said. "The guys have really taken to Russell in a short space of time. For us it's business as usual." And to enforce that motto, Donald need only refer to the country the team is in, where, 17 years since he was last here, business is the driving force behind all the changes he continues to marvel at.

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