Eddie Barlow, reflects on his team's performances (19 Nov 1999)

19 November 1999

Eddie Barlow, reflects on his team's performances

New Bangladesh coach, Eddie Barlow, reflects on his team's performances so far:

"The month of October 1999 could well be prove to be a watershed in Bangladesh cricket.

Prior to this season much progress had been made, culminating in Bangladesh playing in its first World Cup and doing very well with a victory against Pakistan, the "Old Enemy", highlighting their campaign.

September would see two tours to Bangladesh - a full West Indies team would play two ODI's and a three day game while the England A side would provide a more balanced programme.

The one issue, which the world of cricket, ie the ICC was apparently keen to resolve, was whether the Bangladesh could play the "longer version", this being defined as a three or four day game.

Simply put we did, Bangladesh batted for more overs than the West Indies in the first innings of the match, which due to rain, curtailed the game to two days.

We did magnificently well against England A, scoring so freely on the first day that we could declare, looking for victory. England A quite clearly concerned that they might be beaten, ground out their first innings well into the third day eliminating anyone going for victory.

The four day "Test", saw Bangladesh bowled out and forced to follow on. A precarious position for any team. Not Bangladesh. We recovered superbly, batting throughout the day with our wicket-keeper scoring a not-out century to earn a draw.

A watershed, undoubtedly. For a developing team to withstand the West Indies pace attack, and perform, must surely indicate a huge step forward.

To then be confident enough to declare against England A, thereby scaring the pants off them by looking for victory was certainly an unexpected tactic. And then to withstand the pressure of potentially following-on and bat a full day, the last day of a four-day game and come out happy and smiling surely indicates something.

Whatever those in power decide in their deliberations, Bangladesh have clearly shown that they have arrived, not by ifs and buts, but by their performance on the field of play.

The fact that only a month of training and practice was available, during which continual monsoon downpurs curtailed that time even more by restricting outdoor activities, then I as a coach, look forward to many exciting months of cricket ahead.

The players have played the major role. To achieve what they have in short a space of time speaks for itself."