Steven Peter Devereux Smith as captain of Australian Cricket will have his full series in Bangladesh. His challenges with virtually a complete new look squad is well cut out. Following ashes loss to traditional rival England several main stays of the team, captain Michael Clark, dependable all-rounder Shane Watson, veteran opener Chris Rogers, wicket keeper batsman Brad Haddin have announced retirement.
Smith’s deputy dashing opening batsman David Warner also got injured and has been ruled out of the series. Australian selectors have decided to rest leading strike bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Joss Hazelwood. These will make Australia encounter an emerging Bangladesh team (tiger squad) for two tests definitely challenging. The challenges will be huge but there are no reasons to believe that Australia cannot put together a strong enough team. Cricket Australia possesses depth and diversity of quality players who performs credibly in very well organized domestic cricket. The shuffled shield teams are strong enough to compete with any test team anywhere. On the other hand Bangladesh cricketers have made giant strides over the last few months rocking Pakistan, India and South Africa in limited over formats and throwing strong contests in test matches. It will not be cake walk for Smith led Aussie sqauds.
Probable Sqaud:
Cricket Australia is yet to announce the touring squad. But the probable are
Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (capt), Adam Voges, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon Siddle, Shaun Marsh
After many years Australia will have two right handed batsmen opening the test innings. We are not very sure whether Joe Burns or Usman Khawaja can quickly adjust to low slow Dhaka wickets or Adam Voges and Maxwell can curb their attacking style of play to grind and graft required on turning tracks against quality spinners. Smith has to shoulder huge responsibilities. But one must not rule out new players grabbing the opportunity to redeem.
Australians relish challenges and challenges bring the best out of them. Marsh brother Shaun and Mitchell has to play responsible roles with the bat. Mitch is also the all-rounder in the side along with Maxwell. Satrc will be the principal strike bowler .But slow Bangladesh wicket may take out venom from his bowling .Pat Cummins will have to reestablish his position in the side in absence of more settled Hazelwood and prime strike bowler Johnson. Lyon and Ager will handle the spin attack.
Only a few years from now Steve Smith was a fringe player, a leg spinning late order batsman and a brilliant fielder. Being a NSW player many thought he was preferred over few other players having similar talents. But given the breaks Smith grabbed the opportunity with both hands and became the principal run getter of the Australian team in all formats for over a year. He has the experience of leading Australia in ODI and T20 and last year in absence of injured Clark he led Australia in test after the first test. In the lost ashes, he batted admirably well when most of his senior colleagues failed. He is by nature and aggressive player and is expected to uphold the Australian tradition playing tough cricket and playing to win.
We are not sure whether the new look Australian batting unit without Rogers, Warner, Clark and Haddin can successfully encounter quality Bangladeshi spinners Shakib, Jubair, Taijul on spin friendly wickets. Bangladesh can also field a good enough pace bowling unit comprising off freak bowler Mustafiz partnering with one or more from among Taskin, Rubel, Shahid and Al Amin.
Bangladeshi batsmen Tamim, Kayes. Mominul, Mahamudullah, Mushfique, Shakib, Nasir / Shabbir have better skills and greater confidence now in handling Starc, Siddle, and Pattinson.
Bangladesh A team in the forthcoming Indian tour will have valuable match practice. The squad has several national players and some chasing their opportunities back in the team. For us the Bangladeshi Australians it is difficult to choose. Our heart will bleed for Bangladesh but head will go for Australia as Bangladesh success in test cricket in not that great. Given the circumstances and relative strength would predict even contest.
Bangladesh may not possibly get better chance to extend Australia to their limits and may even win the series. We hope weather permits the two tests to play over entire duration. Would also suggest playing on sporting surface giving either team equal opportunities. Bangladesh now has definitely a better-balanced side on home condition. A series win will mean huge achievement and will give great boost.
BDST: 1633 HRS, SEP 10, 2015
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