Ponting queries Bangladesh Test status

[stan]

Ponting queries Bangladesh Test status

Cricinfo staff

February 17, 2006


Ricky Ponting has set the cat among the pigeons ahead of Australia's tour to Bangladesh by calling for Bangladesh to be stripped of its Test status. In an interview with London's Daily Telegraph Ponting said: "What I would not have is the minnow nations in the World Cup and the Champions Trophy, and I would not have Bangladesh and Zimbabwe playing Tests at present."

Interestingly, yesterday Cricket Australia (CA) issued a statement in support of Bangladesh playing Test cricket. "Test cricket needs to be about the best playing the best. There are some countries that are developing, and the way to develop is to play on a regular basis against the best countries in the world. Cricket Australia has bought into that process by sending the Australian team," a CA spokesman said.

However, despite not toeing the official line Ponting won't be reprimanded. Late last night CA indulged in damage control, getting Ponting to issue a more diplomatic statement. "If it takes teams like Australia playing teams like Bangladesh for the developing Test nations to improve their skills, then I'm all for it," Ponting said "I'm looking forward to the challenge of leading Australia in Bangladesh".

Australia is set to tour Bangladesh for a two-Test series in April and Ponting's comments are sure to set off sparks ahead of the series. Bangladesh's biggest cricketing success to date came against Australia, whom they defeated in a one-dayer last year. Since their entry into the big league, Bangladesh have played 40 Tests - losing 35 and winning only one, against Zimbabwe - and have won just 10 of 113 ODIs.

© Cricinfo

[stan]

I thought this was interesting enough to put on here.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Interesting that Ponting would mention Zimbabwe given that they have already stripped themselves of Test status a few weeks back.
Can see that it may not be the best for Cricket but I think Bangladesh have the potential.
They are definitely in need of a couple of quality bowlers at the very least.

[blink]

If I was a test player, I would be for it. If anything, it is a good chance to build up some form, and maybe even averages. I think playing Bangladesh in Tests in the short-term is a waste of time, but for the long-term development of the game it is definatley a good thing.

I guess Ponting is looking at things in the short-term!

[MagicKiwi]

As usual.

Ponting is all for himself. Gawd forbid he would think strategically.

[RustyCage]

Bangladesh beat Sri Lanka tonight in an ODI, and their u/19 team is one of the best in the world, so there is light at the end of the tunnel.

[therisingblues]

I remember when Sri Lanka had been on the World stage for only a few seasons and people claimed that they'd never be of any good, and the Twelfth Man had good reason to make the Sri-Lankans the fall guys in that great parody of cricket he made. But look at them now, just about single-handedly revolutionised the one day game with their early hitting, as well as their vastly improved win/loss record in all forms of cricket.
Bangladesh will surley have a future ahead of them if they follow the same path.
I am out of the loop with the Zimbabweans, last I heard the country/team was in political turmoil and their best players just weren't in the team for non-sports reasons. Is it still like that?

[stan]

I am out of the loop with the Zimbabweans, last I heard the country/team was in political turmoil and their best players just weren't in the team for non-sports reasons. Is it still like that?

I think thats pretty much whats going on at the moment. I believe that theres a few ex zimbarbweans playing county cricket because they wont be selected for the national team due to certain no cricket reasons.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Bangladesh did ok in the first test against Sri Lanka in the current series with both teams making in the 300's in their first innings but Bangladesh was bowled out for just under 200 in their second inning and Sri Lanka hauled in the deficit to win the test.
In the second test Bangladesh was bowled out for 234 but they had Sri Lanka in a bit of a pickle at 4-43 but Tharanga and Jayawardene have steadied the ship a bit to be currently 4-143.

[ORDoubleBlues]

Ponting queries Bangladesh Test status

Cricinfo staff

February 17, 2006


Ricky Ponting has set the cat among the pigeons ahead of Australia's tour to Bangladesh by calling for Bangladesh to be stripped of its Test status. In an interview with London's Daily Telegraph Ponting said: "What I would not have is the minnow nations in the World Cup and the Champions Trophy, and I would not have Bangladesh and Zimbabwe playing Tests at present."

Interestingly, yesterday Cricket Australia (CA) issued a statement in support of Bangladesh playing Test cricket. "Test cricket needs to be about the best playing the best. There are some countries that are developing, and the way to develop is to play on a regular basis against the best countries in the world. Cricket Australia has bought into that process by sending the Australian team," a CA spokesman said.

However, despite not toeing the official line Ponting won't be reprimanded. Late last night CA indulged in damage control, getting Ponting to issue a more diplomatic statement. "If it takes teams like Australia playing teams like Bangladesh for the developing Test nations to improve their skills, then I'm all for it," Ponting said "I'm looking forward to the challenge of leading Australia in Bangladesh".

Australia is set to tour Bangladesh for a two-Test series in April and Ponting's comments are sure to set off sparks ahead of the series. Bangladesh's biggest cricketing success to date came against Australia, whom they defeated in a one-dayer last year. Since their entry into the big league, Bangladesh have played 40 Tests - losing 35 and winning only one, against Zimbabwe - and have won just 10 of 113 ODIs.

© Cricinfo

Thought this topic was worth another visit given the position at stumps on the end of day 2

[noone]

the english press will have a field day with this...

mind you i think its great to see bangladesh do well. (mind you id rather they beat the poms in a test instead).

[Adelaide Hawk]

the english press will have a field day with this...

mind you i think its great to see bangladesh do well. (mind you id rather they beat the poms in a test instead).

I couldn't really care what the English press say, I don't read their papers anyway. What I do care about is the welfare of the Australian cricket team, and I think the problems associated with Ponting's cataincy is something that needs to be addressed very quickly. I have no problems with the Test status of Bangladesh. I recall Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Pakistan all being whipping teams in their early years and they have all made a contribution to world cricket. Memo to Ricky Ponting: spend a little less time worrying about other countries and a little more thinking about how you are going to captain Australia.

[Rik E Boy]

You try captaining a side that has just played 10 test matches since Novemeber..this schedule is largely to blame for our lacklusture performance in this match. Add in losing the toss and a wicket that is keeping low on the second day. Hands off Punter, yep, he shoulda shut up but I believe his captaincy is slowly improving.

regards,

REB

[MagicKiwi]

[Rik E Boy]

:finga:

LOL. Not a fan of that graphic. Surely if you are giving someone the finger you shouldn't be grinning like that

regards,

REB

[ORDoubleBlues]

I know a lot of cricket has been played Rik but if they would rather a 9 to 5 job, I guess they could take that instead.

[JK]

I know a lot of cricket has been played Rik but if they would rather a 9 to 5 job, I guess they could take that instead.

Yep, that was about to be my comment ... They all squealed not long ago about their earnings, which were subsequently increased but as with any job, as the wage goes up, so does the expectation upon earning potential for the employer ...

[ORDoubleBlues]

Just to add to the two posts above and in agreeance with another poster a little while back (can't remember who it was), if any of these players go and sign up to play county cricket this year, I will take absolutely no notice of any future gripes from that player about playing "too much cricket".

[Rik E Boy]

I know a lot of cricket has been played Rik but if they would rather a 9 to 5 job, I guess they could take that instead.

If you are overworked in a 9 to 5 job your performance will suffer. Ditto for top class sportsmen. (Test) Cricket is an endurance sport and comparing back to back tours (let alone back to back test matches) to the complete bludge that is hit and giggle county cricket is like comparing concrete laying to an admin job in an office.

regards,

REB

[ORDoubleBlues]

I know a lot of cricket has been played Rik but if they would rather a 9 to 5 job, I guess they could take that instead.

If you are overworked in a 9 to 5 job your performance will suffer. Ditto for top class sportsmen. (Test) Cricket is an endurance sport and comparing back to back tours (let alone back to back test matches) to the complete bludge that is hit and giggle county cricket is like comparing concrete laying to an admin job in an office.

regards,

REB

Doesn't matter, you can't complain on one hand that you're playing too much cricket and then go and play more that you're not obligated to other than to feather your own nest. Guess they're the pitfalls of earning between $400,000 and $2 million dollars a year.
Just think, Test players won't see another ball in anger 'til the 23rd of November. The poor things