West Indies A due today in Dhaka (5 November 1998)

5 November 1998

West Indies A due today in Dhaka

Our Sports Reporter

The West Indies A team will fly into the city today on a ten-day tour of Bangladesh. The second string national side from the Caribbeans will play three limited-overs matches and a three-day affair against different national selections during their brief stop-over here.

The visitors will play their first limited-overs match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on November 7 before appearing in their second over-limit affair at Rajshahi, the northern headquarters, on November 9.

The Caribbeans, led by veteran fast bowler Ian Bishop, will play their and final third 50-over exhibition match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on November 10. The lone three-day match will begin at the same venue on November 12. The tourists will be boosted by the inclusion of three national caps -- fast bowler Reon King, leg-spinner Rawl Lewis and Neil McGarrell.

The trio stayed back after featuring in the Wills International Cup, where West Indies finished runners-up to eventual winners South Africa in the final on November 1.

Meanwhile, the national selectors, who are keeping a close eye on the practice session involving about 40 players, will sit today to name the final 16 players for the first two one-day matches.

"We will sit tomorrow to finalise the national team for the first two matches", said chief selector Enayet Hossain Siraj yesterday.

"Since our players are engaged in practice and are not playing any competitive cricket, so the standard criteria for a place in the team will be fitness, said Siraj adding that the team which lifted the ACC Trophy in Kathmandu last month is plagued by injury.

Left-arm spinner Rafique is nursing a hand injury and did not turn up at the Bangabandhu national Stadium yesterday. Opener Javed Omar who injured his hand did not bat in a practice match. Paceman Hasibul Hossain also looked uncomfortable with a knee problem.

But the critical Siraj appeared more disappointed with the practice facilities rather than the injury problems.

"We don't know what is our role as selectors. But I will to have arrange everything for a smooth practice session for the last couple of days", said Siraj who is also the chairman of the grounds committee.

Replying to a query Siraj said that they did not receive the West Indies' itinerary in due time.

"Actually, I had to go and collect the schedule two days back", said Siraj.

But Siraj's statement hardly justifies the proclamation from the BCB general secretary Syed Ashraful Huq who on Tuesday said: " I have duly announced the tour schedule of the West Indies team one and a half months ago".

Source :: The Bangladesh Daily Star (https://www.dailystarnews.com)