What does a winning combination mean in test cricket?  Or, in other words, will it be a premature thought for playing to win against the top ICC test team now?

Till recent past Bangladesh strategy against major teams were to survive five days and putting all attention for earning a draw. Against South Africa Bangladesh test record is not encouraging to mention. Played eight, lost eight, seven of which were innings defeats.  But the recent successes of Bangladesh in ODI series against major oppositions including South Africa at home and emergence of some potential match winners it cannot be considered ambitious of proving more competitive even in test cricket.

Over the last few months playing three tests against Pakistan and India Bangladesh managed to earn draw in two. There are no reasons now why Bangladesh cannot think of setting up winning combination.

The first of the two tests against South Africa will start at Jahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong in an hour from now. Cloud cover, rain caused wet out field, possibility of some moisture early on makes the situation very interesting.

We are aware that South Africa possesses one of the deadliest and fearsome bowling attacks in Steyn, Morkel and Philander to exploit such condition. But Bangladesh with new found wonder boy Mustafizur and sizzling Rubel bowling full at pace can also cause issues for strong South African batting. If the wicket is devoid of grass and wicket starts drying under sun Shakib and Taizul can also prove match winners. Bangladesh also has tramp card in Leg Spinner Jubair. In Bangladesh condition we are confident that Bangladesh can definitely set up a winning combination with horses for the courses type of team selection.

We have noted that head coach Hathurusingha talked about selecting test eleven based on strength, not considering the condition. What is Bangladesh strength? We now have quality batsmen including some emerging talents. Should we continue playing 8 batsmen and leaving our weaker segments our bowling weaker with three specialist bowlers and Shakib? If the wicket has assistance of any kind strong South African bowling will cause problems for Bangladesh in any case whether we even appear with 10 batsmen and some bits and pieces bowlers. Rather if we have 7 batsmen and 4 genuine bowlers then there may be situation that Bangladesh may also compete equally well with South Africa.

We have seen captain Mushfiqur talked about condition and strength of the team guiding team selection. We definitely now have bowlers capable of taking 20 South African Wickets as their team have some new comers. Mustafiz has already troubled the best batsmen Amla, de Villiers, du Plessis, and Duminy in limited over versions. Even Kohli, Rohit, Raina, Dhoni struggled against him. If you add Rubel there are chances that Bangladeshi bowlers can make early inroads into South African batting. If that happens, Shakib, Taijul/Jubair can definitely stifle them.

We also noticed that the cover of the wicket was removed yesterday. It did not appear damp. But grasses were long. We have also known that grasses were bladed off. But whatever be the case wicket will retain some moisture. Team winning toss will definitely opt to bowl. Bangladesh cannot expose their batsmen on a wicket having moisture to Steyn and Morkel. On the other hand Mustafiz and Rubel will love to bowl on a juicy wicket under cloud cover to hustle South Africans.

For me the winning combination will mean playing with 7 batsmen including Litton K Das as Wicket keeper and appearing with four bowlers.

My 11 will include Tamim, Kayes, Mominul, Mahmudullah, Mushfiqur, Shakib, Litton, Taijul, Rubel, Jubair and Mustafiz. In this scenario Soumya and Nasir will miss out. If Mushfiqur could keep wickets either Nasir or Soumya could get into the team.

Against the best test team of the world there is no point playing with negative frame of mind through stuffing the team with batsmen and ignoring the bowling unit.  Bangladesh must believe in its bowling ability and play to win.

There will definitely a winner or a loser if rain does not eat away major part of five days. So why get technically knocked out and lie on the mat.

BDST: 0835 HRS, JULY 21, 2015
SR


** Positive Approach to Test Series