DHAKA, Oct 20: England hope to give a kick-start to a tour of the sub-continent in their first-ever Test series against Bangladesh starting at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here on Tuesday.
With the more formidable Sri Lanka to take on later, England have an opportunity to gel as a team, even as Bangladesh continue their struggle to justify Test status.
England are way ahead of their opponents in terms of calibre and a keen contest in any of the two Tests would be a big boost for the hosts, who have lost 23 of 24 matches since gaining Test status three years ago.
But a spirited performance against an off-colour Pakistan in the Multan Test last month, when Bangladesh under coach Dav Whatmore came within one wicket of their first victory, could give them that much-needed confidence.
Expectations have risen since Whatmore took over earlier this year, the Multan effort offering hope to fans despite a 3-0 loss in that series.
“Our team should not be taken lightly as it is capable of springing a few surprises,” said former Australian batsman Whatmore, who was the coach of the Sri Lankan team that won the 1996 World Cup.
Bangladesh captain Khaled Mahmud said on Monday he was expecting an inspired effort from his team.
“We have never started a home series in such a confident mood,” said Mahmud. “We have often done better in away series and hope to apply ourselves better this time.”
England captain Michael Vaughan too was confident ahead of the series but warned that his players had to put in their best.
“We are definitely hoping for a win but know that we have to work hard for it,” said Vaughan, who took over as Test captain from Nasser Hussain during their last series against South Africa.
Bangladesh clearly lack players of class with stylish batsman Habibul Bashar being the lone exception, whereas England have players of both class and experience on the sub-continent.
A batting line-up with the likes of Marcus Trescothick, Graham Thorpe and captain Michael Vaughan is capable of putting any attack to the sword and give their depleted bowling-attack enough runs to bowl for.
Teams (from):
Bangladesh: Khaled Mahmud (captain), Habibul Bashar, Khaled Mashud, Javed Omar, Hannan Sarkar, Rajin Saleh, Alok Kapali, Mohammad Rafique, Mashrafe bin Mortaza, Tapash Baisya, Mushifiqur Rahman, Aftab Ahmed, Enamul Haque (Junior).
England: Michael Vaughan (captain), Marcus Trescothick, Mark Butcher, Nasser Hussain, Graham Thorpe, Matthew Hoggard, Paul Collingwood, Ashley Giles, Steve Harmison, Richard Johnson, Rikki Clark, Gareth Batty, Geraint Jones, Chris Read, Martin Saggers.—AFP