Bangladesh Bowler Shahadat Hossain fades off harsh Lords memories
Today’s date will be remembered in the history of cricket when Bangladesh was subjected to one of the most comprehensive drubbings ever witnessed in Test cricket. Only about five years ago, the Bengali tigers lost by an innings and 261 runs - a margin which looks like a mammoth one even when seen in the paper. It was England’s best victory, breaking a 30 year old record by being their third biggest victory margin. But what was even more significant was the manner in which it was delivered and the message that it sent to the entire world.
In the second Test at Chester-le-Street, the Bangladesh team was bowled out for a paltry108 runs. Marcus Trescothick's 194 made him the star of the match. The entire innings was wrapped up in seven sessions. The contest over all was an easy one which was the final statement given by Michael Vaughan at the end of the match.
The England cricket team is planning once again after a gap of five years to gear themselves towards the Ashes. However, Brisbane is still some six months at bay. By dreaming of the green grass back home, the English bowlers managed to keep themselves sane on the flattest of wickets in their recently concluded tour of Bangladesh. Once the English bowlers find the seam and swing from the early-season pitches, the Chittagong and Mirpur wars, as they assumed, would be long forgotten.
The tenacity of the Bangladesh team who took to the ground with a far bigger incentive with a view of raising their game to untouched heights was not acknowledged by the English team. Redemption was achieved with the return of Shahadat Hossain who is one of the three survivors from the chastising of 2005. In that match, Hossain had made his debut in international Test cricket. With a grunt at delivery to rival Monica Seles and a penchant for the bouncer, he seemed like a thrusting teenager. His induction in the team seemed to apply some menace to a powder-puff attack. However, his analysis of 12-0-101-0 highlighted the story of a rookie overawed.
Having made his mind today to atone for those shortcomings, Shahadat has grown wiser with 26 Tests to his name. As a reward, he was given a place on the honours board of the dressing room. With this, he has become the first Bangladeshi player ever to achieve such a feat. His performances have provided inspiration to his entire team. He has injected a verve and impetus into the team with his performances. The best day that the Bangladesh team has ever produced in a Test match against England was the net result.
Shahadat feels contented and satisfied over the fact that his name has been on the board for the first time in Bangladesh cricket. It is undoubtedly a big thing for him. According to him, he never even thought of getting another opportunity of coming to Lord’s after his debut. Shahadat bowled with an accurate line and length along with a bit of swing. The effort was to forget his past memories at the ground where Strauss and Trescothick hit him everywhere.
The collective approach of the Bangladesh team was of the up-and-at-'em variety from the time Shahadat found his range in the second spell of the match. In order to rob the English team for their right to declare, they claimed six wickets for just 143 runs.
Kayes was found out by the short ball in Chittagong. His best score in previous 22 Test innings was a paltry 33 runs only. The answer to his team's top-order requirement thus remained unfulfilled. In a preordained manner, a lifter from Steven Finn dismissed him on 43 runs which were scored off 99 balls.
The entire Bangladesh team is growing in stature game by game. They do have many important and dangerous players in their line up, however the team cannot be taken lightly for sure. The bowlers are also capable of building up along with taking wickets and important breakthroughs for their team. Indeed, it will not be easy for England to simply blast them away right from the start of play.
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