Tigers reach the nadir

This picture sums up yet another Bangladesh batting debacle. Here Alok Kapali is seen trudging back as part of the Tigers' procession to the dressing room during the first one-day international against Australia at the TOI Stadium in Darwin yesterday.Photo: AFP

Bangladesh's crushing loss by 180 runs to Australia in the first match of the three-match series on Saturday has been one of the most below par efforts in the team's history. The abject innings of 74 in 27.4 overs also meant that the Tigers have recorded their lowest total ever in a one-day international, as this was two runs short of the score against India in Dhaka in 2003.
"I guess we are still capable of doing this every now and then because of our youth. I can't put a finger on why it happened. It was one of those bad, bad days," said coach Jamie Siddons after the match at the TIO Stadium.
"There has been quite a build up to the series back home and here and I think the players felt it. They did not look mentally prepared for batting today (Saturday)," added Siddons.
Chasing 255 for victory in front of a colourful crowd who took this rare opportunity of witnessing international cricket in Northern Territory, the Bangladesh top order hardly made an effort to stay at the wicket and made some elementary mistakes to get out. Opener Mehrab Hossain (0) played across a straight ball from Stuart Clark and was leg-before. Skipper Mohammad Ashraful (5) was also out in similar fashion to a length ball from Mitchell Johnson which he tried to pull. The shot was premeditated. Shakib Al Hasan (7) tried to score in a hurry rather than consolidating and hit a full toss from Australia captain Michael Clarke straight to the mid off's hands. That left the Tigers desperately placed at 44-4 after 14 overs.
"The interesting thing is that none of our batsmen looked uncomfortable there. They just got out," Siddons said. "When Australia batted they also did not have things going entirely their way as this is a difficult pitch to play shots. But Shaun Marsh and Mike Hussey stuck it out and took the score past 250."
Despite the mauling Siddons felt the team would be up for the next two matches of the series on September 3 and 6 and stressed on the importance of going back to the basics.
"I can shout and yell at them or I can take them down to the nets and practice. I think I'm going to take the second option. The unknown factor is gone now and we know that we shouldn't be frightened about their pace on this wicket. Hopefully in the next match they will stay in a bit longer and play a few more shots," said Siddons.
The Bangladesh coach thought the bowling effort of the Tigers was the only positive to come out of the game. Fast bowler Mashrafe Bin Mortaza did not give the batsmen any room and only 31 runs came off his 10 overs. Abdur Razzak was close to his best and fellow left-arm spinner Shakib also got purchase out of the wicket. Nazmul Hossain, who was introduced in the sixth over as first change seamer bowled a tight first spell. The expensive Shahadat however, was the most successful of the bowlers after claiming three wickets in four balls in the final over of the Australia innings. The fielding, apart from a couple of fumbles by Razzak was of high standard.
"The bowling was good but I still think we could've restricted them to 220. Rajib (Shahadat Hossain) gave away 20 in his first two overs. I guess we conceded 20-30 extra runs."
Ashraful said there were no excuses for the debacle.
"We just did not turn up in batting today. The pitch was not conducive to stroke making and their bowlers did not give any loose balls. When you are not scoring runs easily that creates pressure and you make mistakes. Our shot selection was very poor and when you are 5/58 inside 20 overs there is no coming back," said Ashraful who also refused to blame the pitch.
"It was not like the Gardens Oval track where balls come on to the bat and you can play strokes. This one's a drop-in wicket and the bounce is up and down sometimes and something like 220 or 230 can be a defendable total. Having said that I don't think it is that difficult to stay at the wicket if you apply yourself. We were guilty of bringing about our own downfalls."
Australia's stand-in captain Michael Clarke was delighted with the performance.
"I thought Shaun Marsh again with the bat was spot on, Michael Hussey led from the front as vice-captain and then our bowlers and in the field, I think certainly showed great energy and a fantastic performance," Clarke said
"It's obviously a great honour for me to have this opportunity but when you've got guys in your team like I have, it makes my life so much easier. I've got the backing of every player there, they performed as well as I could have asked, so it made my job so much easier."