The tour of Bangladesh may not have captured the public imagination but there’s little doubt it’s been a fine spectacle for the cricket lover. The one day matches were dramatic and the Tests have been low scoring and hard fought. As predicted the strong heat and spinning wickets have challenged the English players in new ways and we’ve seen different sides to many familiar figures.
Ben Stokes has shown a less explosive more introverted kind of aggression by charging bloody-mindedly through short spells in sweltering conditions and Moeen Ali has belied his generally placid manner to lead the spin attack with determination despite some mixed results.
Ben Stokes has shown a less explosive more introverted kind of aggression by charging bloody-mindedly through short spells in sweltering conditions and Moeen Ali has belied his generally placid manner to lead the spin attack with determination despite some mixed results.
Then there's the young players in the squad, each of whom are looking in their own way to make the transition from county and one-day success to an uncontested place in the Test team. Today it was the turn of the magnificently named Zafar Ansari who took his first two Test wickets - getting the second with the last ball of the day. Tomorrow its likely that Northamptonshire's Ben Duckett will get a chance to make up for his relative failures so far at the top the order.
If the security requirements had been less restrictive and the Bangladeshi crowds a bit more fair-minded then this might have been the ideal tour for a travelling fan.
As it is, following on early morning radio and catching up on nightly TV highlights has been a welcome bright spot amid a generally grey and cooling October. I’ve been particularly interested by the new players in the squad and the decision to open with Duckett not Hameed. That decision, and the previous one to try Hales in the spot, seems to be the inevitable outworking of the idea that Cook must be partnered by a stroke player rather than someone who accumulates in the same manner as their captain. If Duckett continues to struggle how long before they try Hameed? And (as I’ve written about previously) in the wider scheme of things are either of them really the best openers available?
Potentially the biggest story from this tour lies with the other team though. As I write Bangladesh's batsmen are building a lead which may just put them in a position to win the second Test. It would be only their eighth Test victory in ninety-five attempts and their first ever against a side other than Zimbabwe or a crippled version of the West Indies suffering cash-induced player absences. The consistency of Tamim at the top of the order (averaging 57.75 in a low-scoring series) and the deception of Mehedi with the spinning ball (playing in his first ever series) deserve not just recognition but also reward.
One thing we can say for certain is that if Bangladesh do win then the celebrations are likely to light up the country. And although I'd welcome an England fightback it's hard not to feel the historic attraction of a win for the home team. If it happens it could even mark the moment when, like so many new Test nations before them, Bangladesh turn from whipping boys into something far more competitive and feared. That prospect only adds strength to an already potent brew. For my part I'll be tuning in tomorrow with a strong brew of my own to find out which way it swings. Sher-e-Bangla stadium has never felt closer.
One thing we can say for certain is that if Bangladesh do win then the celebrations are likely to light up the country. And although I'd welcome an England fightback it's hard not to feel the historic attraction of a win for the home team. If it happens it could even mark the moment when, like so many new Test nations before them, Bangladesh turn from whipping boys into something far more competitive and feared. That prospect only adds strength to an already potent brew. For my part I'll be tuning in tomorrow with a strong brew of my own to find out which way it swings. Sher-e-Bangla stadium has never felt closer.
