IF things take their natural course, by the time these lines appear in print, the second Test between Australia and Bangladesh would also be over. But such a hurried disposal of the minnows of world cricket was expected the moment the series was announced. In fact, so much was made of the lopsided proposition that even when the Test ended in less than half its designated duration, the Bangladeshis still got a few accolades for having put up a fight, and for having shown defiance!

Not in the distant past I had written about the necessity of reconsidering Bangladesh’s Test status in view of the pedestrian performances that they churn out as a matter of nauseating routine. I know Pakistan had lost to Australia in the recent past much more quickly than did the Bangladeshis, but, let’s be frank, that result had surprised the Australians just as much as it had surprised the rest of the world. It was a freak outcome.

In contrast, the result against Bangladesh was known months in advance, and it would have been no different had there been drastic changes in the Australian lineup. It is all very well to say that the Bangladeshis would learn as they play alongside the senior sides. Of course, they will. Anyone will, given the opportunities and a free hand in terms of time available to do that.

But the Test arena was never considered to be the practice zone. It was always the culmination of an ambition, not the beginning of it. Teams had to prove their worth before they were allowed entry to the arena. It was what separated men from the boys. But, alas, no more. Teams can get the Test status for reasons that have nothing to do with cricketing ability, and then have a free hand to learn on the ropes, allowing the rivals to create records of all sorts, and, in the process, themselves making ignominious records like the one set by Bangladesh in terms of its never-ending string of losses.

The ICC, in fact, should have been extra cautious while assessing the Bangladesh case in view of the highly debatable performance of the Zimbabweans in the Test arena. Zimbabwe is a team that has the potential to cause some concern among its rivals in certain phases under a One-Day setting. At best, they can pull off a surprise win. But that is it. Beyond that, it is nothing.

When Zimbabwe takes the field in a Test setting, there are only two possibilities in the mind of any cricket follower: a Zimbabwean loss, or a draw. By awarding the Test status to Bangladesh, the ICC has taken the possibility of a drawn match out of the equation. That is no service to the game.

Having said that, it is quite apparent that the ICC is not going to go back on its decision, and that Bangladesh is here to stay. That being the reality, it is in the interest of the international community to itself take the initiative and do something about Bangladesh cricket so that the Test arena may not lose its competitive edge that makes it the supreme form of cricket, way above all other forms of the game.

The Australians have agreed to enter into an exchange programme with Bangladesh under which various youth outfits will play on a reciprocal basis. Besides, some of the national team players will also undergo training at the famed Australian cricket academy. This is a good beginning, and others should also come forward in order to inject some sense into a mindless and blatantly wrong ICC decision.