Bat and ball / Frank Gregan / 20 October 2008 /

Frank Gregan dicusses that old chestnut of whether Bangladesh, who have only ever won one Test match, are worthy of their Test status. Ironically at a time when they are probably closer than they've ever been of beating a major team with New Zealand in a spot of bother.

The first test between New Zealand and Bangladesh is beautifully poised at the end of day four. Amazingly, should Bangladesh pull off a shock win it will only be their second ever test match victory, the previous one coming against a Zimbabwe side that was in turmoil.

Their record of one win from fifty three matches prior to this game is abysmal. The rumour is that Juande Ramos is trying to get the phone number of the Bangladesh coach to give him some advice having finally found a sporting team with a worse record than his Tottenham side! The question has to be asked - are Bangladesh really worthy of their test match status?

Prior to this game in Chittagong, Bangladesh had met the Kiwis six times in test matches and lost every single one. Indeed take out the Zimbabweans and all Bangladesh has to show for seven years of test match toil is two draws and forty three defeats against the big eight.

The most popular chant amongst Bangladesh supporters is "can we play you every week?" when they face Zimbabwe because to date they are the only opposition that they can be competitive against. Even against Zimbabwe they have a worse record than the Kray twins, won one, drawn three and lost four.

There is therefore a real possibility that a little slice of cricket history could be made tomorrow should they record their first ever win against one of the big eight. The Kiwis only have themselves to blame, in the first innings they could have had Bangladesh three down with only single digit runs on the board had it not been for some Teflon fielding.

Once Bangladesh eventually posted 242 in the first innings the match then turned into the Shakib Al Hasan show taking 7 wickets for 36 runs to leave the Kiwis first innings in tatters. He then went on to make 71 runs in the second innings to leave the Kiwis chasing 317 for victory.

It looked a difficult task given that New Zealand have never chased down more than 200 in an away test match to secure a win. Add to that the fact that five of their top six batsmen are experiencing a sub continent test wicket for the first time and the omens did not look good.

However, day four belonged to the Kiwi batsmen amassing an impressive 145 for the loss of only two wickets. It could have been much worse for Bangladesh as it looked likely the Kiwis would get back to the pavilion having only lost Jamie How before Jessie Ryder went for a suicidal second run late on and was run out. It was a poor decision by Ryder, he wouldn't have got home on a Kawasaki Vulcan 2000!

The wicket on day five will have to play more tricks than the Chuckle brothers if Bangladesh are to claim their victory. It seems likely that New Zealand will get home and odds of [1.26] currently available reflect this.

So back to the question: Are Bangladesh worthy of their test status? The answer is an unequivocal no! Should they lose this test match after having everything go their way in the first three days it will only lend strength to the argument that they are out of their depth.

There is a lot of cricket still to be played and if you fancy the shock you will probably get a match at [4.8] on Bangladesh. I can't see them winning, they are simply not good enough and the [1.26] available on New Zealand is a license to print money. Ah, the beauty of sport, this time tomorrow if Bangladesh have created a small slice of history I'll be swallowing a very large slice of humble pie!

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