Should Bangladesh play more Tests?

It took South Africa just 10.5 overs on the fourth morning to wrap up victory, but how they had to work for it. Bangladesh may have scored less than 200 in both innings, but some inspired bowling from Shahadat Hossain - who finished with match figures of 9 for 97 - ensured that there were some distinctly uncomfortable moments on the road to victory.

South Africa had bowling heroes of their own in Mornè Morkel and Dale Steyn, but the game-breaker was a man now known more for his rock-solid batsmanship. Jacques Kallis won South Africa a series in Pakistan not long ago with some sterling batting, but at Mirpur, he contributed just 24 runs in two innings.

No matter. With the game up for grabs on the third morning, he ambled in for eight overs to induce a slide from 148 for 4 to 182 all out. Instead of having to chase in excess of 250, South Africa found themselves needing just 205 to get across the line.

Kallis finished with figures of 5 for 30, and he did it by sticking to the methods that have served him well down the years. Thudding the ball down just short of a length, he got just enough movement to flummox the batsmen. With Makhaya Ntini listless and Morkel and Steyn struggling to reprise first-innings heroics, it was just the intervention that Graeme Smith needed.

Bangladesh can take heart from the performance, but there's little in the future to be optimistic about. The Future Tours Programme is so skewed in favour of the big boys - Australia, India and England - that other teams barely get a look in. Bangladesh had played only three home Tests since they nearly upset Australia at Fatullah two years ago, and are unlikely to get marquee games anytime soon.

They have toured England and Australia once, but have yet to be invited across the border to India. A tour of Australia later this year has been reduced to just one-day games, with the Tests deferred to 2010. For a young side with plenty to prove, the itinerary isn't a friendly one. 

Having already beaten Australia, India, South Africa and Sri Lanka in one-day internationals over the past three years, what they need at Test level is more games to get attuned to the unique rhythms of five-day cricket.

One of the few senior players in the squad revealed the dilemma to a colleague of mine not long ago. "We play so little Test cricket that most of us are still in one-day mode when we start a game," he said. "If I find it hard to adjust at my age, imagine how tough it is for the younger guys."

Several of the Bangladeshi batsmen got starts in this game, but only Junaid Siddique with 74 made time in the middle count for something. The rest could be accused of cavalier disregard for the situation, but then how many lessons have they had to learn from?

The Under-19s, who defeated England before losing to South Africa at the ongoing World Cup, have shown that there's plenty of talent coming through. But the Mohammad Ashrafuls and Hossains of the future may have to be satisfied with only one-day plaudits.

Test cricket's charmed circle may be minting money from playing only against each other, but they certainly aren't doing the game's long-term future any favours.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Comments

[Tim]

Bangladesh are playing about the right number of Tests. The problem is they play far too many first-class games. What they need is a two or three month tour, playing five first-class games and then two Test matches near the end. This is how they will improve.

[Jack]

I wish I could bat against Bangladesh.

The South Africans must have been out on the turps, the night before the latest Bagladesh test match.

[Tarun Y]

For some reason I really wanted Bangladesh to win this test against S.Africa ... it would have shut a lot of people up!!

I'm sure this test match gave Graeme Smith a couple of sleepless nights!

I think they should definitely play test cricket! That argument couldnt be said, say 2 years ago, but now they're definitely improving.
I think that first win (non-Zimb) is only around the corner...

they should be play more test...the are very talented!

[charles]

No Bangladesh should only play ODIs.