Cricket Roundup
B’desh ‘trying’ to create own brand
COLOMBO, March 13, (Agencies): Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah said Tuesday the underdogs, fresh from upsetting Sri Lanka, plan to hone their “brand” of Twenty20 cricket against India in a key tri-series showdown.
The visitors staged a 215-run chase to defeat hosts Sri Lanka in their second match of the tournament, rebounding from a loss in their opener against India.
Bangladesh, 10th in the world T20 rankings behind Afghanistan, will be in strong contention for the tri-Series final if they beat table-toppers India on Wednesday.
Mahmudullah, who was named captain after Shakib Al Hasan was ruled out of the triseries due to injury, said the minnows entered the series wanting “to create a Bangladesh brand of cricket”.
“I think the skills are there. We need to be smart to take that calculated risk,” he told reporters in Colombo, saying his side had to compensate for its lack of power hitters.
“Taking on a particular bowler who we think can be targeted, these sort of things we need to apply when we are playing. These things will give us that Bangladesh brand of T20 cricket.”
The Tigers have beaten top sides in Test and one-day internationals, but struggled to find consistency in the shortest format of the sport, having lost nine of their last 11 T20s.
Mahmudullah urged his bowlers to learn from their Indian counterparts, who have utilised the batting-friendly conditions at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Rising Indian pacemen like Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur have been instrumental in elevating India to the top of the table in the series.
Spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Washington Sundar have also chipped in with disciplined bowling and crucial strikes.
Bangladesh’s left-arm quick Mustafizur Rahman has picked up five wickets in two matches but leaked close to 10 runs an over.
Mahmudullah backed his strike paceman to come good in the remaining matches in conditions he believes are tough for bowlers.
“I think he is a great bowler for our team, he has been doing really well. It’s just the wicket that suits the batsman most,” said Mahmudullah.
“Mustafiz is in great shape and is our strike bowler and I will always back him up.”
Bangladesh have never won a T20 tournament since they started playing the format in 2006.
Mahmudullah
Australia are considering calling up an extra all-rounder as cover for Mitchell Marsh who suffered a groin strain in the second test in South Africa, coach Darren Lehmann said on Tuesday.
Marsh has more than a week to prove his fitness before the third test begins in Cape Town on March 22. However, Lehmann said a decision on whether another player might be added to the 15-man squad would be made closer to the time.
“We are reasonably confident but we’ll see over the next couple of days,” Lehmann said of the 26-year-old’s chances of recovery.
“Medical staff will have a look at him and assess him, and then make a call from there. We’re hopeful for the next Test.”
Marsh, who was sanctioned by the International Cricket Council for swearing at Kagiso Rabada after the South Africa fast bowler dismissed him on Monday, has been a pivotal player since returning to the Australia side in December.
Only captain Steve Smith has scored more test runs since and Marsh has also claimed valuable wickets.
The fitness of experienced fast bowler Dale Steyn will be of even more interest to South Africa in the coming days after their most potent wicket-taker Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the remainder of the four-Test series with Australia.
Rabada, fresh from a match haul of 11-150 as South Africa won the second Test by six wickets on Monday to level the series at 1-1, was suspended by the International Cricket Council for two games after reaching the threshold of eight demerit points.
The 22-year-old has taken 15 wickets at an average of 16.80 in the series so far, with his raw pace and accuracy testing the quality of the visiting Australia batsmen.