Dav hits back at critics on test status issue

[Shish Ahmed]

Source: The Independent

May 18: Mike Yardy followed up his career-best 257 by taking five for 83 as Sussex softened up Bangladesh ahead of the first Test next week with a thumping victory at Hove.

The tourists were sent packing by an innings and 226 runs after being bowled out for 196 following-on 422 behind Sussex's mammoth 549 for seven declared.

Yardy, who has switched from medium-pace to bowl left-arm spin this season, had only taken four first-class wickets before this match, and his career-best haul helped propel Sussex to victory with a session in hand.

The Bangladeshi innings finished with nine wickets down as skipper Habibul Bashar Sumon was unable to bat due to the effects of a gashed forehead sustained the previous day.

The main plus point for the tourists was a gritty 63 from 98 balls by 16-year-old second-choice wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who strengthened his claim to play as a batsman against England when the sides meet at Lord's on May 26.

The diminutive Rahim, playing only his fourth first class match, compiled 10 fours and a huge six over mid-wicket at the expense of Yardy.

He was last out when stumped by Tim Ambrose attempting to hit Yardy over mid-on having added 45 in 10 overs for the ninth wicket with Shahadat Hossain Razib.

However, the diminutive Rahim is unlikely to play in the first Test at Lord's, which starts on May 26, having missed two stumpings while deputised in this game for rested first-choice keeper Khaled Mashud Pilot.

Bangladesh have one more three-day game in which to restore morale before the two Test series gets underway, against Northamptonshire starting Friday. However, the diminutive Rahim is unlikely to play in the first Test at Lord's, which starts on May 26, having missed two stumpings while deputised in this game for rested first-choice keeper Khaled Mashud.

Bangladesh have one more three-day game in which to restore morale before the two Test series gets underway, against Northamptonshire starting Friday.

Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore admits his men badly need to restore some confidence.

He said: "This was not the cleverest of losses and there was not a lot to write home about for us in the game."But we live to fight another day and when it comes to playing at Lord's I hope the occasion will charge us up.

"It's a terrific place and I hope it will inspire us.

We need to stay focused on what we need to do and we are very pleased to be here."

Whatmore brushed off criticism from some quarters that Bangladesh are not worthy of Test status, and insists: "If you don't play you will never improve.

Within five to 10 years we'll have a group as competitive as anyone."