Bangladesh have a good future in international cricket despite their modest performances in the ongoing World Cup, leading cricket writer Peter Roebuck told reporters on Wednesday.
‘The future of cricket lies with spinners and this is what their strength is,’ said Roebuck.
‘The Umpiring Decision Review System has made life easier for spinners as they are now getting a lot of lbw decisions in the front foot which they did not get it in the past,’ he said.
‘Since Bangladesh rely a lot on their spinners, it will certainly help them,’ said Roebuck, who is now in Dhaka to cover the World Cup for Australian newspapers Melbourne Age and Sydney Morning Herald.
‘With the retirement of Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan and Anil Kumble, the spinners have left their golden age behind them, but with the introduction of UDRS they are taking an edge over other bowlers,’ he said.
Former Somerset captain, who permanently resides in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and also has a home in Sydney, sees no problem for Bangladesh to rely on their spinners.
‘Every team should play for their strength and because you have got a couple of good spinners you should always try to back them and take the chance,’ said Roebuck.
‘However, you should also allow the batsmen to get accustomed to bouncy wicket, otherwise they will struggle outside the sub-continent,’ he said. ‘India started taking this strategy and that’s why they are now number one side in the world.’
‘They beat Australia in Australia recently in Test, did the same against South Africa. It was not possible 15 years ago,’ he said.
Roebuck, who is in Bangladesh for the first time, was also amazed to see the crowd. The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium was nearly full to the brim in a game that didn’t feature Bangladesh which was the most amazing thing for him.
‘Your crowd and support is also big strength for Bangladesh,’ said Roebuck.
‘A lot of Test-playing nations do not have the similar fan base,’ he said.
Roebuck hailed the World Cup, hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as most wide open in 30 years. While West Indies dominated the first few editions, it was turn for Australia to rule the roost in the last World Cups.
‘This is for the first time in many years there are no clear favourites in the World Cup, which is very good for cricket,’ said Roebuck.
Courtesy of New Age
