The frenetic start, and the other debutant
Plays of the Day from the first day of the Chittagong Test between Bangladesh and New Zealand
Mohammad Isam in Chittagong
09-Oct-2013
Peter Fulton had reason to be annoyed, as he got himself out to a forgettable ball from Nasir Hossain • AFP
The frenetic start
No, we're not talking about a blazing start with the bat. Bangladesh bowled 18 overs in the first hour, and while this is no record, it was sign of captain Mushfiqur Rahim's eagerness for wickets. Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, back in the team after two years, was brought into the attack after just five overs. Offspinner Sohag Gazi came two overs later, and they began bowling in tandem instantly. Robiul Islam wasn't bowling too badly but there was hardly any carry and to stick with him wasn't going to be the captain's mode of attack.
No, we're not talking about a blazing start with the bat. Bangladesh bowled 18 overs in the first hour, and while this is no record, it was sign of captain Mushfiqur Rahim's eagerness for wickets. Left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak, back in the team after two years, was brought into the attack after just five overs. Offspinner Sohag Gazi came two overs later, and they began bowling in tandem instantly. Robiul Islam wasn't bowling too badly but there was hardly any carry and to stick with him wasn't going to be the captain's mode of attack.
The shot
Only a gentle tap through midwicket would, arguably, surpass the class of a backfoot drive down the ground off a spinner. Kane Williamson unfurled both shots within the first five balls he faced, off Shakib Al Hasan. The first one took everyone by surprise as he shot it past the bowler and umpire, and it raced away for four. The next one, the most good-looking stroke of his innings, was the one that went through midwicket for another boundary, as he merely curled his wrist over the ball.
Only a gentle tap through midwicket would, arguably, surpass the class of a backfoot drive down the ground off a spinner. Kane Williamson unfurled both shots within the first five balls he faced, off Shakib Al Hasan. The first one took everyone by surprise as he shot it past the bowler and umpire, and it raced away for four. The next one, the most good-looking stroke of his innings, was the one that went through midwicket for another boundary, as he merely curled his wrist over the ball.
The surprise
Nasir Hossain has become the Collin Miller of the Bangladesh team, generally without the wickets though. But his ability to bowl seam or spin according to conditions makes him a handy option for Mushfiqur, and he struck a big blow today. He was brought on just before the tea break and, with his sixth ball, removed Peter Fulton. The delivery was not one to talk about: scrumptiously short and slightly outside off stump. But Fulton's full-blooded shot went to cover where Mominul Haque held on.
Nasir Hossain has become the Collin Miller of the Bangladesh team, generally without the wickets though. But his ability to bowl seam or spin according to conditions makes him a handy option for Mushfiqur, and he struck a big blow today. He was brought on just before the tea break and, with his sixth ball, removed Peter Fulton. The delivery was not one to talk about: scrumptiously short and slightly outside off stump. But Fulton's full-blooded shot went to cover where Mominul Haque held on.
The other debutant
There were three players debuting in Test cricket today: Bangladesh's Marshall Ayub, and New Zealand's Corey Anderson and Ish Sodhi. Then there was umpire S Ravi, who was also standing in his first Test match. He went by unnoticed for most of the day, until he gave Kane Williamson leg before to Shakib in the penultimate over of the day. The Indian umpire must have thought he was debuting in home conditions, with a loud audience and fielders around the bat on a dusty pitch.
There were three players debuting in Test cricket today: Bangladesh's Marshall Ayub, and New Zealand's Corey Anderson and Ish Sodhi. Then there was umpire S Ravi, who was also standing in his first Test match. He went by unnoticed for most of the day, until he gave Kane Williamson leg before to Shakib in the penultimate over of the day. The Indian umpire must have thought he was debuting in home conditions, with a loud audience and fielders around the bat on a dusty pitch.
Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo's Bangladesh correspondent. He tweets here