Crucket

While England was creating history of Lord’s, Bangladesh was creating a bit of history of its own in the West Indies. Bangladesh won the second test by 4 wickets, to go with the 95-run win in the first test, to take the series 2-0. That’s test wins 2 and 3 overall for Bangladesh and the first series win overseas. However, given that they were playing against a West Indies side severely weakened by a contracts dispute, there’ll be few outside Bangladesh celebrating this achievement. (In fact, I seem to recall that the Zimbabwean side beaten by Bangladesh back in 04/05 was similarly weakened.)

One bizarre consequence of this turn of events is that the Windies slip down in the official rankings, enough to push New Zealand up one place into 7th. That’s not the sort of promotion to feel proud of.

As I understand the ranking system, Bangladesh gained 3 points from their 2-0 series win. With their current rating of 0 points, this gives them 270 points, which when converted into points gives them 10. I imagine that is as many points has they have ever had. The West Indies gained 0 points, which actually gives them -15 points, or in terms of points: 78. A drop of 7 points.

So the first ashes test in Cardiff has finished in a nail biter. The English 10 and 11 held out for about 12 overs at the end of day 5, preventing what would have been a huge win for Australia.

Australia obviously played fantastically, getting 4 centuries in their one innings and ending up 1 wicket and a few runs away from a big win. England might have played poorly (particularly both of Pietersen’s dismissals), but playing out the draw showed character, and they should be more competitive in the rest of the series.

Half a world away in Kingstown, Bangladesh are fighting hard for their second ever test win, playing against a West Indian team so severely weakened by a strike due to a contract dispute that they have 7 uncapped players in the team.

The gulf that seperates the quality of these two pieces of cricket is as wide and as deep as the ocean that physically seperates the games.