Close but no cigar

Before the First Test started, the Australian journalist Will Swanton smugly stated that beating Bangladesh would be a 'doddle':

The doddles against Bangladesh will last about two days each and probably involve only one hit each for the Australians. Runs will flow freely. Taking the new ball for Bangladesh will be some bloke who goes by the name of Shahadat Hossain. It may as well be the Blue Wiggle ... any batsman who doesn’t average 100 against that mob shouldn’t be let back in the country.

The quote wasn't online, but located by blogger Tim Blair. Needless to say, Mr Swantan is wiping some egg off his face now.

Bangladesh certainly won a lot of friends with a tiger-like display against Australia in the First Test, but while they showed admirable tenacity right unto the death, the plain fact is that they lacked one critical attribute that is vital for both tigers and cricket teams; the killer instinct. Cricinfo's Osman Samiuddin put the question squarely:

Even if we accept that Australia were tired - this was their 11th Test since October - five days ago nobody expected them to nervously chase just under a hundred on the last day with five wickets in hand. Five days ago, most expected the last day to be a day off. In this context alone, the performance is remarkable. But while everyone celebrates, Bangladesh might choose some serious contemplation instead. Should Bangladesh be happy they pushed Australia so close? Or should they grumble about having missed the opportunity to win it?

Instead of patronising Bangladesh by praising how well they played, we owe it to them to take them seriously, and give them a bollocking for NOT finishing Australia off.

Ricky Ponting gets a lot of stick for his captaincy, but even still, since he took charge in early 2004, Australia have lost three Test matches. You do not get a chance to beat Australia very often, so when the Cricket fates send you an opportunity, you have to take it. That is what England did in 2005 to win the Ashes. How long will Bangladesh have to wait before they get a better chance then this to beat Australia. I imagine it will be quite a while, and they will rue this missed opportunity for a long time to come.