Bangladesh execute their processes

England v Banglandesh, 1st test day 2: England 505, Trott 226; Bangladesh 172/2, Tamim Iqbal 55, Junaid Siddique 53*

Today was a day of contrasts.  First we saw Jonathan Trott become the first England batsman since KP to score 226 in a test innings.  He did this mostly by nudging the ball around for ones and twos, although occasionally he forgot himself and hit a cover drive for 4.

After England’s innings finished on a thoroughly inadequate 505, Bangladesh had a try.  Many people were surprised that they lasted till the close, finishing on a mighty 172/2.  They did this by scoring more boundaries in that 172 than Trott did in scoring 54 more runs.

But the most interesting thing about today happened five years ago.

When Bangladesh volunteered to be England’s pre-Ashes hors d’œuvre in 2005, they conceded a combined 975/6 in two test matches and mustered scores of 108, 159, 104 and 316.  Today’s effort was better than any of those innings – that 316 was at one stage 125/4 – and they managed to bowl out England.

So if you know anyone who still thinks Bangladesh should only be allowed to play Canada, Namibia or Geoff Boycott’s mum, and you surely do, then please bring the above comparison to their attention.

Sure, Bangladesh are still a relatively weak side, but they are showing improvement.  Their body language in the field might not always be up to Michael Vaughan’s lofty standards, and they may give away too many easy runs, but their batting has become a far sturdier entity.

They might need a few more years yet, but they are getting better.  It won’t be long before they learn to flay bowling attacks far less toothless than England’s and figure out how to out-think far smarter batsmen than Ian Bell.  New Zealand had better watch out.

In the meantime, a 4th day seems almost guaranteed, and a 5th distinctly possible, and that has made Giles Clarke a very happy man indeed.  And if Bangladesh play really well, it’s not inconceivable that England might suffer the utter humiliation of a draw.

Footnotes

As an aside, when Bangladesh play England Lions from now on, it really should be known as a Ligers Match.