HOVE, England, 18 May 2005 — Just nine days before the first Test at Lord’s Bangladesh suffered a crushing innings and 226 runs on the final day of their three-day game against an under-strength Sussex here at Hove yesterday.
Michael Yardy, who had earlier hit a career-best 257, doubled his career tally of five first class-wickets by taking five for 83 with his occasional left-arm spin as Bangladesh, following on, were bowled out for 196.
That at least was some improvement on their first innings 127.
Mushfiqur Rahim top-scored, hitting 63 before being stumped off Yardy by Tim Ambrose. Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar did not bat after being forced to retire hurt on Monday after being struck by a Jason Lewry bouncer when on 22 during the tourists’ woeful reply to Sussex’s 549 for seven declared.
Coached by Dav Whatmore, the man behind Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup success, Bangladesh looked in reasonable shape at 88 for one.
However, after a second-wicket stand of 58 between Nafees Iqbal and Aftab Ahmed had given Bangladesh hope of a draw, they collapsed to 132 for seven.
Yardy came into this match with a negligible first-class bowling record but, buoyed by his batting heroics, starred with the ball.
He bowled Nafees, playing no shot, for 33 and by the time he had Mohammad Ashraful caught at long-on for seven Bangladesh were in deep trouble at 110 for four.
South African pace bowler Johannes van der Wath, then took his second three-wicket haul of the match, including Mashrafee Mortaza and Enamul Haque jr for ducks.
Only 16-year-old Rahim offered any resistance, adding 45 for the ninth and final wicket wth Shahadat Hossain, before Yardy lured him out of his crease.
However, the diminutive Rahim is unlikely to play in the first Test at Lord’s, which starts on May 26, having missed two stumpings while deputised in this game for rested first-choice keeper Khaled Mashud.
Bangladesh have one more three-day game in which to restore morale before the two Test series gets underway, against Northamptonshire starting Friday.
West Indies Rest Lara for One-Dayers With Pakistan
In London, Brian Lara is being rested for West Indies’ three one-day internationals against Pakistan this month so he is ready to face them in the two-Test series.
The selectors left the batsman out of Wset Indies’ 13-man squad named on Monday for the three one-dayers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on May 18 and in Saint Lucia on May 21 and 22.
