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Cricket Australia belittled Bangladesh players after Dhaka loss

Abdullah719

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DHAKA: Bangladesh’s inaugural Test victory over Australia in Dhaka last year was belittled by Cricket Australia’s team performance chief Pat Howard as being achieved by players who were not up to Sheffield Shield standard, a new book has revealed.

In Australia’s first Test after the fractious 2017 pay dispute, an underprepared team lost narrowly to Bangladesh on a sharply turning pitch and were immediately leapt upon by sections of the media as overpaid prima donnas. In Gideon Haigh’s Crossing The Line, an account of the build-up to this year’s ball-tampering scandal, Howard is shown to have harangued senior figures across Australian cricket in an emailed reaction to the defeat.

“I am sitting in a cafe in Dhaka hotel at the conclusion of the first Test loss ever to Bangladesh. I am personally embarrassed and take accountability and happy to accept any criticism that comes our way,” Howard wrote. “For some of you sitting here in Dhaka you are fully aware of how poor a result this is and you have a material opportunity to address in the next few days.

“Rightly the system is often judged on the outcomes of the national team. As you can imagine there are many questions being asked of us, and I think they are fair. I am reasonably confident that many of the players that have just beaten us would not get a run in any of the state teams.

“To the CA Team Performance – When you go home at the end of the day, does what you do actually make a difference? CA spends over $100m on players’ wages and teams, all in the effort of producing great national teams. We have failed, you have failed and I have failed and it is not good enough.”

Howard’s unflattering depiction of the Bangladesh side Australia had just lost to was followed by an improved performance and a victory by the tourists in the second Test, but also by the cancellation of Bangladesh’s scheduled visit to Australia for Tests this year. It is part of a wider picture painted by Haigh of arrogance and disconnection in Australian cricket, a sobering tale for the new chief executive, Kevin Roberts.

“Some who’ve raised questions these last few years have been penalised for their trouble. Asked to sum up the culture of Australian cricket, one of my interviewees put it more succinctly than I ever could: ‘Bullies and sycophants.’ Said another, by way of contrast: ‘[Australian rules] Football gives you one in the belly. Cricket gives you one in the back. It is full of good haters.’ Quoting them directly would hardly improve their employment prospects. But these voices do need a hearing.”

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/20...littled-by-cricket-australia-after-dhaka-win/
 
Lol.. he said the truth though.. Bangladesh players aren't Test standard.
 
It may sound harsh but he's not saying something false. Apart from Tamim, Sakib, Rahim, there are not a lot of players who will be drafted by some of domestic teams in Australia, England, and possibly even India.
 
It may sound harsh but he's not saying something false. Apart from Tamim, Sakib, Rahim, there are not a lot of players who will be drafted by some of domestic teams in Australia, England, and possibly even India.

He is a shameless fool, trying to justify a Test loss. His bunch lost 9-0 in Asia not long back and don’t deserves to talk bullish. Aussies were good at getting under the skin, but after getting exposed from underwear gate, it’s time that they should behave decent & talk less. Test cricket isn’t T20 that one bad hour can win you a Test - Aussies lost that Test after 12/3 in first 20 minutes of the game.
 
He is a shameless fool, trying to justify a Test loss. His bunch lost 9-0 in Asia not long back and don’t deserves to talk bullish. Aussies were good at getting under the skin, but after getting exposed from underwear gate, it’s time that they should behave decent & talk less. Test cricket isn’t T20 that one bad hour can win you a Test - Aussies lost that Test after 12/3 in first 20 minutes of the game.

To be fair to him this happened before sandpaper gate. And the team that lost was pretty good.
 
To be fair to him this happened before sandpaper gate. And the team that lost was pretty good.

I have seen rowdy people talking bullish after demolishing opponents, one such was Ian Chappel after the 3rd Test between PAK-AUS..... but this guy steals the cake - he is talking rubbish after losing a game!!!!

I am sure, going forward you'll see Aussies are quite decent in field, and won't talk so loud.
 
He is a shameless fool, trying to justify a Test loss. His bunch lost 9-0 in Asia not long back and don’t deserves to talk bullish. Aussies were good at getting under the skin, but after getting exposed from underwear gate, it’s time that they should behave decent & talk less. Test cricket isn’t T20 that one bad hour can win you a Test - Aussies lost that Test after 12/3 in first 20 minutes of the game.

What are you on about?
It was a private internal talk at the players calling them out for underperforming.

Its not talking bullish and its not belittling if it happens internally.
 
What are you on about?
It was a private internal talk at the players calling them out for underperforming.

Its not talking bullish and its not belittling if it happens internally.
If it is internal then it's their responsibility to keep it internal. Else they should apologize for it.
 
Hate it when people undermine Bangladeshi cricket, even many Indian fans have this false sense of superiority and unwarranted arrogance. FGS they became a regular only 15-20 years back and now have the capability to compete with most top teams at least in Asian conditions. Aussies may wonder whether Bangladeshi boys will get into their state teams, well on Asian style pitches will some of the Aussie bred superstars get into Bangladeshi FC teams?
 
Some of the players who have represented Australia in recent years are not even Dhaka Premier League standard.
 
Hate it when people undermine Bangladeshi cricket, even many Indian fans have this false sense of superiority and unwarranted arrogance. FGS they became a regular only 15-20 years back and now have the capability to compete with most top teams at least in Asian conditions. Aussies may wonder whether Bangladeshi boys will get into their state teams, well on Asian style pitches will some of the Aussie bred superstars get into Bangladeshi FC teams?

Thank you very much...this is exactly what I was thinking...

BD are no champion team...but they are no pushovers too...it takes time to become a team with great sporting culture, unless you have freaks (Murali, the WIs of 70s)...nations with a culture of sports have traditionally done well over a sustained period of time. Australia is one such example. India is rapidly becoming one.
 
Ouch.

To be fair, Aussies have been poor Asian visitors in last few years*. Be it India, UAE or BD.

No team at home is easy to beat. This BD team have solid test cricketers in Tamim and Shakib.

*I do believe they might surprise Pakistan and may draw/win the series
 
Hate it when people undermine Bangladeshi cricket, even many Indian fans have this false sense of superiority and unwarranted arrogance. FGS they became a regular only 15-20 years back and now have the capability to compete with most top teams at least in Asian conditions. Aussies may wonder whether Bangladeshi boys will get into their state teams, well on Asian style pitches will some of the Aussie bred superstars get into Bangladeshi FC teams?

You have said the harsh truth which many will find it difficult to swallow here.Australians don't know how to play spin well on asian conditions including in Bangladesh,they are being comprehensively beaten by Pak,India,SRL. They didn't expect to be beaten in BD. That was a hard pull to swallow.
 
Bangladesh's team is by no means on test standard. They can't even compete outside Asia let alone win. People may think this is a harsh statement but Bangladesh's performances in South Africa and West Indies over the past year have shown exactly where they really are in test cricket.

Australia are no better in Asia but atleast they showed some spine in India and actually came close to winning the series.
 
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Bangladesh's team is by no means on test standard. They can't even compete outside Asia let alone win. People may think this is a harsh statement but Bangladesh's performances in South Africa and West Indies over the past year have shown exactly where they really are in test cricket.

Australia are no better in Asia but atleast they showed some spine in India and actually came close to winning the series.

Australia is a sporty nation and they've been playing test cricket for decades. BD was prematurely given test status. Obviously it's going to take some time for BD to develop into a good team in test.

It's easy for you folks among the top teams talk about Bangladesh.

Its like a guy from a rich family talking about how easy it was for him to go through university whilst a guy from a struggling background could hardly cope up.

See most fans would not understand how difficult it is to succeed in test cricket or cricket in general.
 
Australia is a sporty nation and they've been playing test cricket for decades. BD was prematurely given test status. Obviously it's going to take some time for BD to develop into a good team in test.

It's easy for you folks among the top teams talk about Bangladesh.

Its like a guy from a rich family talking about how easy it was for him to go through university whilst a guy from a struggling background could hardly cope up.

See most fans would not understand how difficult it is to succeed in test cricket or cricket in general.

How long are we gonna have to wait exactly? Because it has been 18 years and Bangladesh are playing pretty much exactly like an early 2000s Bangladesh team would if they toured South Africa or West Indies. Heck, I'd say they've somehow gotten worse because Bangladesh toured West Indies in 2004 when Windies had Lara, Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Gayle and managed to draw a match
 
How long are we gonna have to wait exactly? Because it has been 18 years and Bangladesh are playing pretty much exactly like an early 2000s Bangladesh team would if they toured South Africa or West Indies. Heck, I'd say they've somehow gotten worse because Bangladesh toured West Indies in 2004 when Windies had Lara, Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Gayle and managed to draw a match

Test cricket is dying. It should be played between Ind, Eng, SA, and Australia. Each team can continue to destroy each other on home soil.

We do not have much interest for test cricket. Heck, even Indians dont care about this format judging by folks in the stadium recently.
 
If it is internal then it's their responsibility to keep it internal. Else they should apologize for it.

Have you read the article in totality? This is being exposed now to show how pathetic the old administration was. No one is supporting them
 
Test cricket is dying. It should be played between Ind, Eng, SA, and Australia. Each team can continue to destroy each other on home soil.

We do not have much interest for test cricket. Heck, even Indians dont care about this format judging by folks in the stadium recently.

Myopic. Test cricket is all that really matters.
 
Myopic. Test cricket is all that really matters.
Says who? Take out ODIs, lets see how long Test cricket survives. I can assure you that in most developing countries it didnt last that long at all.

How many overs of Ind v Eng did you watch? Now compare that to how many overs you watched in Asia Cup, be honest.

I dont have anything with test cricket, i just dont find it practical unless you have retired and got nothing else to do on your day.
 
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Says who? Take out ODIs, lets see how long Test cricket survives. I can assure you that in most developing countries it didnt last that long at all.

How many overs of Ind v Eng did you watch? Now compare that to how many overs you watched in Asia Cup, be honest.

I dont have anything with test cricket, i just dont find it practical unless you have retired and got nothing else to do on your day.

Literally didn't watch a ball of the Asia Cup. Didn't post 1 word, either. I only care for Tests. I watched a lot of E v I and posted accordingly.
 
Literally didn't watch a ball of the Asia Cup. Didn't post 1 word, either. I only care for Tests. I watched a lot of E v I and posted accordingly.

ok, I will take your word for it, hopefully we wont be seeing you during World Cup 2019 either.
 
Test cricket is dying. It should be played between Ind, Eng, SA, and Australia. Each team can continue to destroy each other on home soil.

We do not have much interest for test cricket. Heck, even Indians dont care about this format judging by folks in the stadium recently.

Yes yes we've all been hearing this argument for decades. "Test cricket is dying", "test cricket is dying". It is not. It's been going on for centuries and it will be going on for many more. And I assure you anyone who knows and understands cricket values test cricket. Unfortunately not every team has what it takes to make it in the format which results in people like you saying: we don't have much interest in test cricket

Would have been interesting to hear your thoughts on tests had Bangladesh not been trashed in South Africa and West Indies.

If anything, bilateral ODIs and T20s are what's meaningless. Both formats carry very little weight outside of the World Cups.
 
Yes yes we've all been hearing this argument for decades. "Test cricket is dying", "test cricket is dying". It is not. It's been going on for centuries and it will be going on for many more. And I assure you anyone who knows and understands cricket values test cricket. Unfortunately not every team has what it takes to make it in the format which results in people like you saying: we don't have much interest in test cricket

Would have been interesting to hear your thoughts on tests had Bangladesh not been trashed in South Africa and West Indies.

If anything, bilateral ODIs and T20s are what's meaningless. Both formats carry very little weight outside of the World Cups.

For most people Test cricket is not practical at all to watch. Why? Because most people would have a day job. Where would people find time to watch 5 days of test cricket? That's all I am saying.

Bangladesh recently beat Eng in Tests, but I doubt many people knows about it, but most of us still recall that victory during the World Cup 2015.

Test Cricket would never ever surpass World Cup, and only few nations knows how to play it that too in their home soil only.

My two cents only. Nonetheless, I do respect people that likes to watch Test Cricket.
 
Whilst the WC has some value (in isolation), I much prefer Tests. FTR, how old are you approx? Under 30 and your views make sense.

Yeah, I am around Shakib's age. I was introduced to Cricket through our World Cup win against IND in 2007.

Yeah, I was wondering where you went during Asia Cup. I recall seeing some witty post of yours in the past. Like your ID in Bangla is pretty hilarious.
 
Literally didn't watch a ball of the Asia Cup. Didn't post 1 word, either. I only care for Tests. I watched a lot of E v I and posted accordingly.

It's true for you, but for every fan who watch test regularly, there will be 10 fans who watch shorter formats regularly. I enjoy watching good tests more than ODI, but previous poster was not wrong in claiming that shorter format is far more popular.
 
Pathetic but expected. When you are so pompous and get in the face of your opposition so much in your own backyard as they crumble against the 450-500 totals on those batting slabs, it is quite a shock when you go visit them and are brought back to earth via defeat. You'll want to belittle everything around you realizing that you're not as good as you thought you were, and all that pride and ego will turn into rage.
 
Bangladesh's team is by no means on test standard. They can't even compete outside Asia let alone win. People may think this is a harsh statement but Bangladesh's performances in South Africa and West Indies over the past year have shown exactly where they really are in test cricket.

Australia are no better in Asia but atleast they showed some spine in India and actually came close to winning the series.

We give our fair share of boots to BD team but we are not as blind as you folks. You have a team who is barely 50 years off age as a country, before the Shakib-Tamim-Mushfiq Era, they were a nobody team, and here you are comparing them to the Mighty Australian team who has been playing cricket since a long long time.

If anything, BD should have got the test status recently (like 5 years ago - not a decade or so ago). I feel like AFG got their test status at the right time - still a year or two early but about the right time. Look at our team, went to ENG got a thrashing and came back, coach and captain thinks results doesn't matter and business as ususal. How long has india been playing cricket? Still can't do jack outside of Asia - most of the time. Forget about us, look at your own team. Not that great either (a win here and there but that's about it). Send your current bunch of hyped up players, your team will not do any better than the current BD team outside of Asia.
 
Says who? Take out ODIs, lets see how long Test cricket survives. I can assure you that in most developing countries it didnt last that long at all.

How many overs of Ind v Eng did you watch? Now compare that to how many overs you watched in Asia Cup, be honest.

I dont have anything with test cricket, i just dont find it practical unless you have retired and got nothing else to do on your day.

A classic case of blame the format when you are not good at it, this is a minnow mentality. Most Indian fans have already forgotten about the Asia cup but you still see a lot of news articles being written about England tour. So stop talking rubbish.
 
For most people Test cricket is not practical at all to watch. Why? Because most people would have a day job. Where would people find time to watch 5 days of test cricket? That's all I am saying.

Bangladesh recently beat Eng in Tests, but I doubt many people knows about it, but most of us still recall that victory during the World Cup 2015.

Test Cricket would never ever surpass World Cup, and only few nations knows how to play it that too in their home soil only.

My two cents only. Nonetheless, I do respect people that likes to watch Test Cricket.

ODI World cup surpasses everything.. so let's leave that out.

A high profile Test series will always be more important to the players than the ODI series on the same tour.
 
If you look at Pakistan Test team there are only 2 Test standard players

*Azhar Ali
*Imam ul Haq
 
Says who? Take out ODIs, lets see how long Test cricket survives. I can assure you that in most developing countries it didnt last that long at all.

How many overs of Ind v Eng did you watch? Now compare that to how many overs you watched in Asia Cup, be honest.

I dont have anything with test cricket, i just dont find it practical unless you have retired and got nothing else to do on your day.

Tests are dying, T20s do not matter. Only thing that matters is ODI cricket, where BD are somewhat competitive. Nice.
 
How long are we gonna have to wait exactly? Because it has been 18 years and Bangladesh are playing pretty much exactly like an early 2000s Bangladesh team would if they toured South Africa or West Indies. Heck, I'd say they've somehow gotten worse because Bangladesh toured West Indies in 2004 when Windies had Lara, Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Gayle and managed to draw a match

At least we are winning a few matches in the subcontinent

WI has been playing tests for 50+ years and they are losing by an innings and 200+ runs to India. WI were the number one side in the world long before Right?

See when most of the top teams started playing cricket, there were 2 formats. When BD started developing, they were asked to play T20Is as well. It's a different thing having to focus on 2 formats in your early years and another thing having 3 formats to deal with. A good reason why Ireland too haven't developed much - they were asked to perform in all 3 formats.

Lanka and WI as LOI sides are losing to Bangladesh and Afghanistan almost everywhere. Lanka and WI have combined total of around 8 ICC trophies. BD and Afghanistan have none. So what's the excuse for these 2 sides?
 
Tests are dying, T20s do not matter. Only thing that matters is ODI cricket, where BD are somewhat competitive. Nice.

Tbh we are starting to become competitive on T20Is. We beat the world champions in their own backyard.

Tests are still our Achilles Heel
 
Bangladesh will actually be a likeable team and not ridiculed if they voluntary give up the test status, which they anyway never deserved in first place. They should focus on shorter formats of the game.
 
Yeah, I am around Shakib's age. I was introduced to Cricket through our World Cup win against IND in 2007.

Yeah, I was wondering where you went during Asia Cup. I recall seeing some witty post of yours in the past. Like your ID in Bangla is pretty hilarious.

I work. I am a HoD in a HS. English to be precise. Yes I pay no attention to ODIs outside if grand ICC events and even then regard them as far inferior to tests.
 
It's true for you, but for every fan who watch test regularly, there will be 10 fans who watch shorter formats regularly. I enjoy watching good tests more than ODI, but previous poster was not wrong in claiming that shorter format is far more popular.

Yes I am an old man. 😄
 
We give our fair share of boots to BD team but we are not as blind as you folks. You have a team who is barely 50 years off age as a country, before the Shakib-Tamim-Mushfiq Era, they were a nobody team, and here you are comparing them to the Mighty Australian team who has been playing cricket since a long long time.

If anything, BD should have got the test status recently (like 5 years ago - not a decade or so ago). I feel like AFG got their test status at the right time - still a year or two early but about the right time. Look at our team, went to ENG got a thrashing and came back, coach and captain thinks results doesn't matter and business as ususal. How long has india been playing cricket? Still can't do jack outside of Asia - most of the time. Forget about us, look at your own team. Not that great either (a win here and there but that's about it). Send your current bunch of hyped up players, your team will not do any better than the current BD team outside of Asia.

Losing is one thing but being completely annihilated is something else. And Bangladesh were completely annihilated in South Africa and West Indies. Not once did I feel they even had a session of dominance on both tours. Pakistan, India are not great overseas either but atleast there's some fight. Pakistan's current group of 'hyped up players' drew a series in England which is something Bangladesh cannot even dream of. And India despite their failings in England could have won the series in South Africa.

Test cricket isn't always about winning. Sometimes it's an exhibition of character, temperament and skill. And besides that one test in New Zealand, which Bangladesh also lost comprehensively I haven't seen them even come close to competing outside Asia.
 
For most people Test cricket is not practical at all to watch. Why? Because most people would have a day job. Where would people find time to watch 5 days of test cricket? That's all I am saying.

Bangladesh recently beat Eng in Tests, but I doubt many people knows about it, but most of us still recall that victory during the World Cup 2015.

Test Cricket would never ever surpass World Cup, and only few nations knows how to play it that too in their home soil only.

My two cents only. Nonetheless, I do respect people that likes to watch Test Cricket.

Again, people have been making these statements for decades but they do little to take away from the importance of the format. I'll say this: test cricket isn't for everyone and it's completely understandable that people such as yourself are more attracted to the shorter formats but speaking for myself and many others there are few sports that offer such a pure exhibition of skill, temperament, character. Test cricket is well and truly a test of the body, mind and spirit and if you are not mentally tough, you cannot make it. ODI cricket may be the most accessible and relevant version of the sport but Test cricket is undoubtedly the most complete. All of this is why test cricket speaks to me on such a profound level.

I also know for a fact that there are millions around the world who have similar feelings towards test cricket which is why I don't see test cricket going anywhere regardless of what the experts and arm-chair critics may say.
 
Losing is one thing but being completely annihilated is something else. And Bangladesh were completely annihilated in South Africa and West Indies. Not once did I feel they even had a session of dominance on both tours. Pakistan, India are not great overseas either but atleast there's some fight. Pakistan's current group of 'hyped up players' drew a series in England which is something Bangladesh cannot even dream of. And India despite their failings in England could have won the series in South Africa.

Test cricket isn't always about winning. Sometimes it's an exhibition of character, temperament and skill. And besides that one test in New Zealand, which Bangladesh also lost comprehensively I haven't seen them even come close to competing outside Asia.

I don't think you understood my point. Wasn't talking about winning/loosing, rather test cricket was handed to them as if it were a child's play. There was no real sense of any improvement, no domestic structure, etc.
 
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