Getting it just right

A tough Day Two for Ireland in Sylhet saw Bangladesh bat in commanding fashion to build a lead, as the visitors searched for the right approach to make an impact with the ball in this Test match. 

By Dave Sihra

Of course it was that man Matthew Humphreys who picked up the much needed first wicket in the 42nd over to send back the dangerous looking Shadman Islam for 80.

Bangladesh had still batted through large parts of Day Two with relative ease. However immediately after the breakthrough there was then a much tighter period from Ireland with the ball.

A new batter will help, but before the dismissal both Humphreys and Andy McBrine looked to be bowling too quick for the surface compared to the Bangladeshi spinners yesterday. Now it’s possible too that something changed slightly with the ball at that point. A slightly softer ball could inhibit scoring as well. It could also become easier to grip.

 Notably there was that small period on Day One when an older, softer ball made scoring difficult for both Jordan Neill and Barry McCarthy. Bangladesh captain Najmul Shanto then opted for the new ball at 80 overs which of course will come off the bat slightly better.

The pace a spinner bowls is a peculiar thing. It really depends on the pitch. There’s the right pace to rip it and then the correct pace to make it to go straight on.
Now altering your pace is easier said than done. Humphreys and McBrine bowl with a nice natural pace and then you alter that for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, you name it. And forget white ball speeds for the moment.

But if you bowl it slower you might find it harder to get that same rip and it might sit up, which did happen occasionally for Scra and Humph.
Go back to yesterday’s Lorcan Tucker dismissal. Bangladesh’s debutant left-arm spinner Hasan Murad hovered around the 77-82 km mark to draw out Tucker who overbalanced with the ball then biting off the surface. All in all a terrifyingly beautiful left arm spinner’s delivery.

 Some words also have to go to yesterday’s news that the World Test Championship from 2027 could possibly feature Ireland, Zimbabwe and Afghanistan. Much remains to be seen on funding and scheduling but it will certainly be on the minds of Ireland’s players in this test, especially as they constantly changed fielding position for left and right batters in the hot Sylhet sun.

Matthew Humphreys did a crucial job, not just getting the wicket, but bowling also 23 overs with the best economy of the Ireland bowlers. And he looked better and better as the day went on. McBrine eventually overtook him with 24 and looked better himself.

Ireland have got a remarkable amount right in small moments to win three tests on the bounce. It’s about winning sessions, making the right calls. For the longer format we’re still talking micro-moments and decisions: attacking the right balls, bowling the right speeds etc. Things didn’t quite go right today - that’s okay, test cricket is really really hard.

Just make sure you get it right on Day Three or Four, in the Mirpur test, or in a possible 2027-29 WTC cycle.