*Official* Bangladesh in England

[zaremba]

Credit to the Banglas, they've progressed since 2005. They're still pretty crap but nowhere near as bad as they were then, when our number 6 never even got to bat in either of the Tests.

 

[GIMH]

Sidebottom IMO

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Shahzad please,Sidebottom isn't good enough so we may as well have a look elsewhere.

 

[Jarquis]

SiBo pour moi.

 

[grecian]

Sidey, best guy to win the game, no other consideration for me. He looked a lot fitter in the 20/20 then he has done, too.

 

[fredfertang]

Disappointed Saj didn't get a call at OT - without that option I'd like to have a look at Shahzad, although if Sidearse is fully fit I think he'd get more wickets

 

[four_or_six]

Probably would go with Shazhad. I'm not sure what we'll learn from playing Sidebottom for a one-off test, may as well keep him going through the ODIs and then play him later against Pakistan if we're still interested in taking him to Australia.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

If I were feeling charitable I'd say it was a pragmatic call; if I were feeling less well disposed I'd say it smacks of funk. OT supposedly the quickest track in England just now. As average as the Bangla seamers are I'd say the selectors have to back them.

Having a quick track won't make much difference if Robiul is going to meander up at 80mph though, if anything it will just make it even more cannon fodder.

May as well throw another batsman in there and leave the bowling to Shakib, Mahmudullah, Rubel and Shahadat. Zero plan B there though. Seems a lose-lose situation to me.

 

[Kylez]

Dissapointed that foxsports in Australia are not broadcasting the test series, would of enjoyed watching Tamin and seeing a bit more of Finn. Hopefully Siddique can do well in this match aswell, looks a good prospect.

 

[stumpski]

If Sidebottom plays today, you would have to ask why he wasn't in the squad for the first Test. As Athers says in today's Times piece, there's little point in taking someone like Shahzad around if you have no intention of giving him a game. And even against Bangladesh, I'd always be concerned about playing Sid in a four man attack.

 

[Uppercut]

Shahzad starts. The place is covered in glorious sunshine ftr.

 

[Jungle Jumbo]

Razzak and Shafiul both in. Thought they might have stuck with Rubel if there's going to be pace around.

Last time a side only fielded two seamers in a Test in England, anyone?

 

[King Pietersen]

Glad Shahzad's been given a go. He's been carried around for a long, long time, so it's about time he was given a chance to show what he can do. Sidebottom didn't bowl well against Essex, and although he had a good T20 WC, I'm not sure he's a good option in Tests anymore. Be interesting to see how Shahzad goes, was hoping we'd field first TBH, fancy an early look at him.

 

[pasag]

Hoping Shahzad does well here so he gets selected for the Ashes, just so we can hear "Shaaaaaaaaaahzad!" from Bill Lawry when he takes a wicket.

 

[AaronK]

Just watched the highlights of the first test and as i am watching the second test Holding and Bumble are talking about Cook's decision on the first test..

I am wondering how does Ashoka De Silva get a way with that many mistakes that he makes in every match.. I don't remember a match that he hasn't made a mistake.. one or two decision that would go wrong is in the card whenever he is umpiring..

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Hoping Shahzad does well here so he gets selected for the Ashes, just so we can hear "Shaaaaaaaaaahzad!" from Bill Lawry when he takes a wicket.

He is a bit excitable isn't he old Bill.

Delighted he is in,whether he is good enough remains to be seen but we know what Sidebottom can/can't do and he isn't going to bowl out Australia anywhere so others are needed.

 

[BoyBrumby]

How's the pitch playing? Judging by the introduction of spin in the 9th over it could be a long day for yer Banglas.

Interested to see Shahzad bat, actually. Report in the paper yesterday compared his style to noted individualist Kim Barnett! Apparently moves so much he takes his guard outside leg and ends up roughly on middle.

 

[Hurricane]

Bangers strike. That catch at slip would never have been taken two years ago. I went and saw them at the Basin in NZ two years ago and they couldn't catch a cold. Credit to the coaching staff here.

 

[King Pietersen]

Was a really good delivery too. Was the sort of line that Strauss had to play. Hoping one of these 2 get out fairly quickly now so that we can get KP in. Want him to make a few today.

 

[King Pietersen]

Gone. Been a solid spell this from Shafiul, looks a handy bowler. KP in now then.