Last Updated on 6 years by Charbel Coorey
Change of format. Thank goodness.
I’m very grateful the Test series was just two Tests in length, as the entire series lasted as long as one Test should. Time for a more competitive series, hopefully.
A year out from the World Cup, both sides would be keen to get their preparations up and running, given the limited opportunities in ODIs so far in 2018.
West Indies scraped into the World Cup by qualifying unconvincingly in Zimbabwe. Now, though, they can put the nerves aside and start focusing on putting together consistent performances, starting against Bangladesh in Guyana. There will be a few changes from the Test series, but one thing is for certain, they will be a big test for Bangladesh once again. They start as favourites.
Bangladesh have offered as much resistance as a leaf in a cyclone so far on this tour. Even more disappointing have been the revelations that players are not keen on playing Test cricket, so if they are poor again in the ODIs, even more serious questions will be asked. However, they will be boosted by the return of inspirational captain Mashrafe Mortaza, who was originally in doubt for the series due to his wife being ill. Can Bangladesh put a better showing in the coloured clothing?
Key to a West Indies win
West Indies will be without Shannon Gabriel and Kemar Roach in the ODIs, but the template of targeting Bangladesh with pace will surely be on show again.
Jason Holder has been in excellent form with the ball over the last 12 months, and will be supported by Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph and the returning Andre Russell. That is enough pace to send jitters down the spine of the Bangladeshi batsmen who were in all sorts of trouble in the Tests. Can the Windies break the back of the Bangladeshi batting line up?
Also, can West Indies get enough out of their top order? They’ll need to, with their middle order options perhaps looking a little thin in my opinion. Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, two players who showed promising form in IPL 2018, will be key at the top.
Key to a Bangladesh win
A massive turnaround in attitude is required from Bangladesh. Their effort in the Test series was nothing short of a disgrace, and they simply owe it to their fans to put on a better showing in the ODIs.
Over the years, including during their successful 2015, Bangladesh have struggled to rotate the strike effectively. This results in the middle order being left with a bit too much to do to finish well. The “big four” of Tamim, Shakib, Mushfiqur and Mahmudullah have a huge role in providing a strong platform for the others to thrive. If they fail, forget about a competitive match, let alone Bangladesh winning.
Also, Bangladesh’s bowlers will be happy to return to this format. It is the format they enjoy best, highlighted best by Rubel Hossain’s figures. In ODIs over the last 12 months, he has taken 14 wickets at 20.14, compared to an average of 157 in Tests in the same period. The return of Mashrafe, as well as the ODI know-how of the likes of Mustafizur Rahman and Shakib Al Hasan will give Bangladesh hope.
Possible teams
Andre Russell returns to the West Indies ODI squad after three years, and will be an excellent late order hitting option. He presents a huge danger to Bangladesh. Also presenting a huge danger to Bangladesh are Chris Gayle and Evin Lewis, as well as the Windies pace attack ready to go.
West Indies possible XI: 1. Chris Gayle, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Shai Hope (wk), 4. Kieran Powell, 5. Shimron Hetmyer, 6. Jason Holder (c), 7. Rovman Powell, 8. Andre Russell, 9. Devendra Bishoo, 10. Keemo Paul, 11. Alzarri Joseph
It will be interesting to see who gets the middle order finishing role for Bangladesh. Will it be the frustrating Sabbir Rahman, along with Mossadek? Shakib Al Hasan batted very well at three during the ODI Tri-Series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in January, and he should be there again.
Bangladesh XI: 1. Tamim Iqbal, 2. Liton Das, 3. Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5. Mahmudullah, 6. Sabbir Rahman, 7. Mossadek Hossain, 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Mashrafe Mortaza, 10. Mustafizur Rahman, 11. Rubel Hossain
Stats and Facts
- Bangladesh played their last ODI on January 27.
- West Indies won the last ODI series between the two sides in 2014 (3-0).
- Evin Lewis needs 32 runs to reach 1,000 in ODIs.
Prediction
There is rain forecast for the morning in Guyana, so hopefully we see enough cricket. If we do, then West Indies should pick up a win against a struggling Bangladesh side.
Thanks for reading!
