'Today was reward day,' says a relieved Michael Vaughan
Michael Vaughan says that England's hard work paid off on the final day of the first Test at Dhaka
Wisden Cricinfo staff
25-Oct-2003
Did you find that match a bit tougher than you expected?
No, we always knew it was going to be tough in these conditions, and against an ever-improving Bangladesh team. We've got a pretty inexperienced team ourselves, but full credit to Bangladesh on days three and four - they were excellent and put us under a lot of pressure. But Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard did us proud. In that heat and humidity, and on a placid wicket, to pick up that many wickets [16 in all] was a true testament to the hard work they've put in over the last three weeks.
No, we always knew it was going to be tough in these conditions, and against an ever-improving Bangladesh team. We've got a pretty inexperienced team ourselves, but full credit to Bangladesh on days three and four - they were excellent and put us under a lot of pressure. But Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard did us proud. In that heat and humidity, and on a placid wicket, to pick up that many wickets [16 in all] was a true testament to the hard work they've put in over the last three weeks.
Will there be changes to the bowling attack at Chittagong?
In any game of cricket, you have to take 20 wickets, so there are bound to be one or two guys who miss out and others who cash in. It's the same with the batters. In this game the pace bowlers were outstanding, while Bangladesh played our spinners pretty well. We'll go along to Chittagong, take a look at the wicket and come up with the best formula for success.
In any game of cricket, you have to take 20 wickets, so there are bound to be one or two guys who miss out and others who cash in. It's the same with the batters. In this game the pace bowlers were outstanding, while Bangladesh played our spinners pretty well. We'll go along to Chittagong, take a look at the wicket and come up with the best formula for success.
Did the prospect of defeat play on your minds?
Not at all. You always have to give the opposition the utmost respect, and full credit to Bangladesh - they were outstanding. They were particularly good yesterday, when they dug in and withstood everything that we could throw at them. But we knew that the hard work that we put in then would pay dividends today, and so it proved. We expected to win today, and set out to do so in a positive manner.
Not at all. You always have to give the opposition the utmost respect, and full credit to Bangladesh - they were outstanding. They were particularly good yesterday, when they dug in and withstood everything that we could throw at them. But we knew that the hard work that we put in then would pay dividends today, and so it proved. We expected to win today, and set out to do so in a positive manner.
How did you feel when they reached 120 for 1 just before lunch yesterday?
Obviously we could have bowled a little better, but their batters stuck to their task, played in an aggressive manner and got on top of us at times. But we got the wicket [of Habibul Bashar] at a crucial time, just before dinner, although they still stuck around afterwards and made life difficult for us. Days like yesterday are a true test of the team's character, and I thought we came through pretty well.
Obviously we could have bowled a little better, but their batters stuck to their task, played in an aggressive manner and got on top of us at times. But we got the wicket [of Habibul Bashar] at a crucial time, just before dinner, although they still stuck around afterwards and made life difficult for us. Days like yesterday are a true test of the team's character, and I thought we came through pretty well.
Were you ever worried in that time?
There's always a slight worry, but we were playing to win and if you take that mentality, you'll come out on top more often than not.
There's always a slight worry, but we were playing to win and if you take that mentality, you'll come out on top more often than not.
Was the first-innings batting the biggest disappointment?
Me and Tres played the new ball pretty well - it flies off the bat a little better over here - but their spinners and the quick bowler [Mashrafe Mortaza] played exceptionally well and shook a few of our guys up. From six down, we are very inexperienced, and you have to give them a little bit of leeway, as they are learning all the time and gaining valuable experience with every session.
Me and Tres played the new ball pretty well - it flies off the bat a little better over here - but their spinners and the quick bowler [Mashrafe Mortaza] played exceptionally well and shook a few of our guys up. From six down, we are very inexperienced, and you have to give them a little bit of leeway, as they are learning all the time and gaining valuable experience with every session.
Were you happy to be back in the runs?
Of course I am. Whether I'm captain or not, as I've said before, I'm an opening bat first and foremost, and my job is to score runs. Thankfully I've done that. The first ten runs in my first innings were among the hardest I've ever had to get. The bowlers and the wicket made life tough, and it was quite hard to split the ring of fielders. I was just trying to find my rhythm, but thankfully I got a few rewards for all the hard work I put in then.
Of course I am. Whether I'm captain or not, as I've said before, I'm an opening bat first and foremost, and my job is to score runs. Thankfully I've done that. The first ten runs in my first innings were among the hardest I've ever had to get. The bowlers and the wicket made life tough, and it was quite hard to split the ring of fielders. I was just trying to find my rhythm, but thankfully I got a few rewards for all the hard work I put in then.
What did you make of the Rikki Clarke incident?
I haven't seen any replays, so I can't comment. But these conditions will test an inexperienced team, especially when you are not getting many wickets. As I've said before, we always play in an aggressive manner, but if anyone steps over the line, we will have something to say about that.
I haven't seen any replays, so I can't comment. But these conditions will test an inexperienced team, especially when you are not getting many wickets. As I've said before, we always play in an aggressive manner, but if anyone steps over the line, we will have something to say about that.
Are you in favour of the ICC's bid to clean up cricket?
It's important that we as players portray the right image to everyone involved. A lot of kids watch the game, and it's not good if the players that they idolise are doing untoward things on the field. We do look after ourselves out in the middle though - it is important to have that little bit of aggression and banter, otherwise the game would be a little bit boring.
It's important that we as players portray the right image to everyone involved. A lot of kids watch the game, and it's not good if the players that they idolise are doing untoward things on the field. We do look after ourselves out in the middle though - it is important to have that little bit of aggression and banter, otherwise the game would be a little bit boring.
Are Bangladesh worthy of their Test status?
On their home soil in Dhaka, they are a tough team to beat. The wicket suits their style of play, and we've got a few inexperienced players who've never been to the subcontinent. After their performances in Pakistan, we knew they'd be a tough nut to crack, and it took a lot of hard work. On days three and four, they were excellent. They have a Test win just around the corner, I'm sure, but hopefully not next week!
On their home soil in Dhaka, they are a tough team to beat. The wicket suits their style of play, and we've got a few inexperienced players who've never been to the subcontinent. After their performances in Pakistan, we knew they'd be a tough nut to crack, and it took a lot of hard work. On days three and four, they were excellent. They have a Test win just around the corner, I'm sure, but hopefully not next week!
We didn't expect to finish them off so quickly this morning, but today was reward day for all our efforts on the previous four. Hoggy got a couple to nip away from the right-handers, Steve put it in the right areas once again, and we knocked off the runs nice and quickly. But there's no such thing as a perfect performance, and we've got lots of things to mull over before the second Test on Wednesday. But I'm delighted with the result - it's a great Test win.