In recent weeks the floated Australian tour of Bangladesh appears to have come to fruition – and this is simply great news for a home side preparing to launch into yet another Ashes campaign.
Judging by the reports, the two Test series looks set to go ahead in late August of this year – a rescheduled tour after the debacle in late 2015 which saw that Bangladesh tour postponed for security reasons.
Thankfully, over 18 months later, it seems Australia will get some Test cricket in the nation after all. It feels like a lifetime ago when Australian cricket fans were blown away at the prospect of Andrew Fekete in a baggygreen.
That isn’t to suggest however that he wasn’t deserving at the time.
Forget that this tour is only two Tests, forget that it is against a lesser-known Test nation – this series is absolutely critical for Australia. Bangladesh have become anything but a minnow in international cricket in the last couple of years – mainly in the ODI circles – yet it’s only seven months ago they stung a quality English side by 108 runs in the Dhaka Test match.
While Bangladesh have never beaten Australia in a Test match and haven’t even competed in one against them since hosting the Aussies in 2006, they will sure bring a unique challenge this time that will have Australia very cautious.
It’s been 11 years since Australia battled the Bangladeshi outfit at test level, much remembered as the series Jason Gillespie somehow scored 200, batting for what felt like a week.
(AFP PHOTO/ Farjana K. GODHULY)
Had this series not in fact gone ahead as was feared, Australia would not have had any Test cricket between the final Test in India six weeks ago in March, and the first stanza of the Ashes at the Gabba. I think this preparation – albeit still a few months out from the Ashes – cannot be undersold in it’s importance.
It will give the Australians a much clearer picture on their playing XI, and might help answer some questions such as how many of the Marsh brothers will feature in the Ashes, both, one or none? Can Glenn Maxwell continue his blistering batting from the Indian tour and lock down the number six place for the home Ashes?
If just one primary spinner is sufficient for the Ashes, who will it be? In a way, this short series in August will reveal a lot about how Australia lines up in a bid to regain the urn.
Personally I felt that a few rounds of Sheffield Shield cricket would be a little on the low side for red-ball preparation, so it is a great relief to see this series actually go ahead. As is the case generally with playing in nations such as Bangladesh, security is never a sure thing, and so the series isn’t a definite yet, probably not until Australia hops on the plane; as we learned last time.
Hell, March to August is enough of a break from Test cricket alone, I cannot imagine how March to November would have felt! Here’s to looking forward to a highly necessary, and hopefully as highly competitive series in August.
Greg
Roar Rookie
I think it's also a great chance to continue our development in the sub-continent. David Warner especially, will be desperate for a big series.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Rellum, yes, India again. We didn't play the ODIs and T20Is that normally go along with a Test series, this will be the make-up tour for that. The timing is somewhat unfortunate. Split tours seem to be a thing in India now, where the Tests are played separately to the limited overs forms. This is a waste just before a Test series, and Shield would be a better preparation.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
That is true, it doesn't change that its the wrong way to look at any Test series.
Alan
Guest
Given the current pay dispute between CA and the ACA we might have a completely new look team facing the Banga's. James Sutherland and Pat Howard to open the batting I understand...
Nudge
Guest
Same thing happened before the last home ashes series which Australia won 5 zip. Not that I'm defending the scheduling
qwetzen
Guest
BG said: "It’s crucial that we play our best XI and that their heads are in the game." There's now a distinct possibility that an inferior Oz side may go due to CA's Board of Control like stance over the new MoU. CA/Sutherland have gone mad on this issue. The existing model has been in place for 20 years, it's working, CA is financially healthy and CA haven't actually given *any* reason why the players status should change from partners to employees. Everyone should be 100% with the players on this, even if it means no cricket.
qwetzen
Guest
Sure will. I wonder what's worse? Batting or bowling in kevlar. Old Smirnoff spoof: I used to think that Kevlar was a town in Sweden until I discovered Bangladesh.
qwetzen
Guest
This is a Dorothy Dixer right? How can you justify selecting a batsman who averages 25 after 22 innings in the region?
qwetzen
Guest
Fair go boys! It was the author who introduced the 'preparation for the Ashes' angle. "I think this preparation – albeit still a few months out from the Ashes – cannot be undersold in it’s importance.".
Rellum
Roar Guru
What??? Is that series going ahead? The Aus cricket website does not list it nor does cricketinfo. That would be a horror piece of scheduling that would show no respect to our domestic comps for no reason. At least if they went to Bangladesh in Oct they would be growing the game, but India, again?
Joe Bell
Roar Rookie
Yeah I agree I would love to see Swepson have a crack, Bangladesh should be slightly more forgiving than India in that regard. Happy with Holland to get another crack too if that was the case. Not sure Agar has produced quite enough with the ball yet although the talent is clearly there and I don't doubt he can produce
Rats
Guest
Important tournament by all means for Australia. Bangladesh beat England few months back and beat SL in SL..
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Rellum now that I think about it the major interruption in Australia's Ashes preparation will not be the Bangladesh tour but the proposed ODI tour of India in October. Australia won't be able to send a second XI like they do sometimes with overseas white ball series because India won't accept a no-name Aussie XI. India would be livid if Australia rested their key Test players - Smith, Warner, Starc and Hazlewood. Australia will probably try to rest the quicks and play Smith and Warner to appease the BCCI.
BurgyGreen
Guest
I agree. A hastily-arranged away series in Asia against a greatly-improved host while we're preoccupied by an upcoming Ashes series is a recipe for an ambush. It's crucial that we play our best XI and that their heads are in the game.
Timmuh
Roar Guru
Because he can't score a FC run on low slow tracks? I think he still has to go to Bangladesh, but only by default. If there were any credible alternatives, he'd be dumped (and CA would call it rested - but you should never rest a player from Tests).
Rellum
Roar Guru
So the big question is then do the international players play in the BBQ cup and the first few Shield rounds?
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
No it looks like the Bangladesh tour will be finished by mid-September with the Matador Cup then starting on Oct 1.
Rellum
Roar Guru
A IPL game every four days for the last 6 weeks is basically a rest for him.
Sameen
Guest
He is also playing non stop this year want to fresh him before Ashes.
BurgyGreen
Guest
If, as I suspect will happen, SOK is left out (can't say I'd blame CA) then I hope Swepson gets a go. Agar would be an ok option in Bangladesh but if we want a left-armer to replace SOK it should be Holland on Shield form. 1. Warner 2. Renshaw 3. Smith 4. Khawaja 5. Handscomb 6. Maxwell 7. Wade 8. Starc 9. Hazlewood 10. Lyon 11. Swepson Holland Cummins Cartwright Agar (Another batsman?)