In his Cape Town home umpire Marais Erasmus has a large framed picture. In the picture, Erasmus is flanked by Virender Sehwag and Sakib al Hasan, the two captains of his first ever Test match. Speaking to a group of Bangladeshi journalists on Thursday, Erasmus said he will carry the memory of 2010 Test in Chittagong forever not just because it was his first Test, but for a few decisions he had made.
In India’s second innings of the Test match, Erasmus gave Sachin Tendulkar out lbw off Rubel Hossain, which the South African umpire said was an unforgettable moment for him.
‘I can still remember the celebration of Rubel. It was quite something to watch,’ Eramus said in an informal session at the Beausejour cricket ground in St Lucia.
What Erasmus did not mention was that not only the wicket of Tendulkar, but Bangladesh celebrated every Indian wicket in a spectacular fashion because of some pre-match comments made by the then Indian captain Sehwag.
In the pre-match media briefing, Sehwag, who was leading the Indian side in the absence of regular captain MS Dhoni, had dubbed Bangladesh as an ‘ordinary side’ something that hurt the ego of every player.
Bangladesh took 18 Indian wickets in the match before losing the game because of their batting failure. Despite the loss, the Tigers could at least force Sehwag eat a humble pie, showing that they were not an ordinary side as he had thought.
Before playing a Test match against West Indies from today, Bangladesh needed a similar kick in their egos with skipper Mushfiqur Rahim indirectly admitting that they have now become truly an ordinary bowling side.
It will be a miracle if Bangladesh can take 20 wickets of West Indies, Mushfiq said after the first Test in St Vincent, adding that they will also play for a draw in the second Test.
Mushfiq did not change his opinion even after coming to St Lucia, an island which previously hosted three Tests with all ending up in draws. The three draws here include a 2004 Test, which is part of Bangladesh’s cricket history.
That was the first time Bangladesh could survive full five days to eke out a draw. Many rare things happened to Bangladesh in the match, including a 64-run lead on the first innings, centuries by three batsmen and a declaration in the second innings, which made the occasion memorable for every player involved.
‘The biggest motivation for us is that we could draw our last Test match here,’ Mushfiq said on Thursday ahead of the second Test. ‘So far I know all three Test matches ended up as draw here. It does indicate no matter how bouncy the wicket they prepare, at the end of the day it will be batting-friendly.
‘All we need is to apply ourselves. The way we could bat in the second innings of the last Test, if we can show the same courage and determination, we can still do well. Maybe we will struggle to take their 20 wickets, but at least we can manage a draw,’ said Mushfiq.
Kent Crompton, the in-charge of the Beausejour cricket ground, however, did not agree.
‘It’s true the previous three Tests here could not produce any results but Bangladesh must not dwell on history,’ Crompton said in sharp warning to Bangladesh captain. ‘The last Test match was held here is 2006, we re-laid the pitch in 2008, so you cannot say it will behave the same way again.’
-With New Age input
