jaybro wrote: ↑Fri Oct 06, 2017 10:36 am
Why did BD choose to bowl again ????
People will blame Rahim, but I suspect thats only part of the problem. I'm sure its the coach's orders, and he is a known control freak so there is little chance he would let Rahim decide what to do all on his own. The squad and XI selection also hints that no one really has any clue what they are doing.
As far as bowling first goes, I don't think its that terrible of an idea. There was always going to be only the slightest chance of BD winning a Test in SA - no matter which XI they put out on the field. The best situation for us would have been to eke out a draw from the 2 matches and the last pitch was tailor made for a subcontinent side. This wicket doesn't look that green either, but I haven't had a great look yet.
With 3 of our better batsmen out (Tamim, Shakib, Mosaddek) and replaced with relatively worthless guys like Imrul, Sabbir, and Mahmudullah (with his experience attractive 50s are irrelevant, a guy with 30+ caps should be scoring 100s on his day), putting the Saffers in could have two potentially positive benefits. 1) Let the saffers eat 5 sessions out with the bat (looks like they won't need more than 3.5 at this rate) and 2) settle the batsman's nerves, watch and see how the pitch behaves, learn something from the SA approach and bat out a draw. We have done it at home, and the boys should take heart from nearly drawing a Test in Wellington after being put in on a greentop (BD scored 600 declared). Of course its way easier said than done.