| Before[HR][/HR] | After[HR][/HR] |
- Tamim Iqbal
- Nick Compton
- Mominul Haque (8)
- Mahmudullah (7)
- Shakib Al Hasan (4)
- Mushfiqur Rahim (+)(*)
- Nasir Hossain (6)
- Taijul Islam (5)
- Jackson Bird (1)
- Shaiful Islam (2)
- Rubel Hossain (3)
---
- Jubair Hossain
- Abdur Razzak
- Anamul Haque (+)
- Shuvagata Hom
|
- Tamim Iqbal
- Dean Elgar (9)
- Mominul Haque (8)
- Mahmudullah (7)
- Shakib Al Hasan (4)
- Mushfiqur Rahim (*)(+)
- Nasir Hossain (6)
- Ryan McLaren (3)
- Wayne Parnell (2)
- Doug Bracewell (1)
- Taijul Islam (5)
---
- Anamul Haque (+)
- Dane Piedt
- Scott Kuggelejin
- Ben Wheeler
|
Trade 1 = Compton + Jubair Hossain for Doug Bracewell, Ben Wheeler and Scott Kuggeleijn
Trade 2 = Jackson Bird for Dean Elgar, Wayne Parnell, Ryan McLaren and Dane Piedt
Picked up Compton and Jackson bird in the draft, and together they made the starting XI much better already. Fixed the problem of finding an opener for Tamim, and added in a good fast bowler to accompany Shakib.
Ended up trading them both out as my only trades. In return, I have Dean Elgar - a solid opener fresh off a Test ton - and a much improved pace attack. Shakib and Taijul still lead the spin bowling duties, but now have a decent pace attack to support them. A big step up from Shaiful/Rubel/Al Amin. These five frontline bowlers are supported by the part time spin of Nasir, Mahmudullah and Mominul, with some Elgar pies for variety. The side bats very deep too, Taijul batted at 8 in the last test against the Zimbos, and has now been relegated to 11. So overall lots of variety and depth in the starting XI.
The bench strength has also gotten a big boost. Dane Piedt is now in the wings to give Taijul some competition, and can come in if we need 3 spinners or require an offspinner instead of a left arm spinner. To be fair Dane's probably a better bowler than Taijul anyways, but give both have played little Test cricket and that this is the Bangladesh side, I figure it fair to let Taijul retain his spot in the XI.
If we play in conditions that require only one spinner, we have the option of leaving out Taijul for Ben Wheeler. Or if we need some more batting depth, we can bring in Scott Kugglejuggle. Anamul Haque is both the backup keeper and backup opener, while Nasir will likely be sent up the order should one of the middle order pull up injured. Scott (NZ FC batting average this season: 33) is a useful replacement for the number 7 slot. With the depth we have, we can play anything from 3 spinners 3 quicks to 1 spinner 5 quicks without really sacrificing much in batting depth.
All in all, the side has much better squad depth and a much better bowling attack. Tamim, Mominum, Shakib and Rahim are all fairly good batsmen at Test level as it is, leaving Mahmudullah at 4 as the only real weak link left in the starting XI. And even he averages 30 in Tests so isn't too horrible. Anamul Haque as reserve opener is a bit shaky too, although he is very talented.
I think the BD side is better, and should be a lot more competitive.
