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javed-omar

Golden balls

2 years ago, at the end of May

Gutted about the latest no-show from the West Indies, although I guess that if England can’t win a Test match in early season freezing Headingley against a team of under-prepared novices from the Caribbean, then we never will. Hardly a level playing field.

Of course, it wasn’t just England handing out a thumping this weekend. India gained some sort of revenge for the ignominious defeat at the World Cup, by dismantling Bangladesh. At 408 for 0, has there ever been a worse decision to bowl first? (Well, yes, Nasser, probably…)

My sympathies go to Javed Omar. A first ball duck is never a good feeling, as I reminded myself in a 20-20 match last week. I’ve earned the Primary Club tie on my mantlepiece many times over (five, at least), but I’ll put another note in their online bucket (www.primaryclub.org) for good measure. I’ve also got two diamond ducks (first ball of the innings) on my CV, which is enough disappointment for one lifetime, I hope. Can anyone better that?

Poor old Javed can, I’m sure, as he bagged two in the match. Has that ever happened before? In fact, what do you call that? Is it a King Diamond Pair? Or a Sapphire Pair? Did anyone see the commentary – I suspect someone answered that at the time?

Bangladesh delay inevitable - but show promise

4 years ago, at the start of June

I admit it - Bangladesh did show some promise today. They reached the heady heights of nearly 300 for 8, a far improved performance than in their previous 3 innings in this series. The pitch had flattened out and, whilst there were still some embarassing shots played, overall they were far more disciplined. I thought Javed Omar looked good - and the much heralded Habibul Bashar looked good square of the wicket and pulling.

However, they were helped by England’s bowling: Australian batsmen, currently (I think) several thousand feet above the skies en-route to England, will not be losing much sleep when they read about it. Hoggard looked very ropey - my favourite adjective of the moment, apologies for its over-use: only when he pitched the ball up did he look penetrative, which twice resulted in him taking a wicket. Harmison bowled brilliantly in the first innings, but today was clearly suffering from an ankle problem. The Aussies reckon Harmison is carrying the England attack and, on today’s showing, it’s hard to disagree.

The whole England team looked pretty hacked off with the whole game - they just didn’t want to be there. I don’t know what England take out of this series - some say a little, most say “not a thing.” And it’s not as thought Bangladesh took anything from it either.