The amazing win by Bangladesh against Australia makes me even more frustrated about last year’s Ashes.
I’m very pleased Bangladesh won with a solid all around team effort, and it makes it quite clear that the Ashes last year were winnable.
There are some serious flaws in the Australian team that Bangladesh knew how to exploit, I don’t think any of this is news. Labuchagne’s luck ran out, clear issues with getting 2 opening batters, the bowling attack is superb but aging, and a lack of test experienced replacements ready to fill in roles for injured players.
Bangladesh played proper test cricket, focused on winning sessions and being willing to grind out some runs. I think back to Perth 3rd innings, where if England just played Starc out they could have hit the other bowlers out before Bolland got his radar in and made it a much more challenging chase. Bangladesh bowled a tight line to Head and he chopped on, sounds so easy but the English bowlers gave him width and he thrashed them.
Bangladesh played a tour game and lost terribly, and then turned it around, England’s lack of match practice prior to the series has been constantly criticized.
I know I’m going around in circles but it just seems so clear that a clearer game plan and more grit would have turned last year around.