'I'm happy with spin tactics'
The Tigers' success in the two-Test series against West Indies is being celebrated with gusto but one cannot blame the pace bowlers in the squad if their celebration has a bittersweet tinge to it. They had no role to speak of and were mere spectators along with their celebrated pace bowling coach Courtney Walsh, especially in the second Test in Mirpur. In a cricketing culture that offers scant encouragement for the country's pacers, the sight of a lineup in the second Test without a single pacer only made the picture gloomier. The fast bowlers must still be primed for Test action as the Tigers are going to play their next Test series in the pace-friendly environs of New Zealand in February next year.
Walsh, however, did not find anything wrong with Bangladesh's spin tactics at home and during a conversation with reporters at the team hotel yesterday, the West Indies legend offered some logic in his defence.
“We are here to win Test matches. Whatever surface we play on, [we have to pick] whichever combination is the best to get Bangladesh to win Tests. I am always happy with it. Back in the day when West Indies used to dominate, they had four fast bowlers. Now Bangladesh is dominating with four spinners, so it is just a trend. The surface was never going to be fast bowler friendly. We thought the spinners would have a bigger role and that has proven to be the case,” Walsh said when asked about the playing eleven in the second Test.
“Tactically we wanted to play more spinners to win a Test and the series. It was achieved. The ultimate goal was set out. The boys played well. It might be the first time [for Bangladesh] that one [pacer] hasn't played, but the result matters. It is a tremendous feeling to have a series win,” he opined.
The West Indian also asked his pace bowlers to get mentally prepared to grab the opportunity when they visit New Zealand.
“Hopefully when we go to New Zealand, the seamers might get a better opportunity. We might get different types of wickets, and they should want to grab those opportunities as well. We haven't grabbed it in any overseas tour, and that to me is a bigger concern. No one has put their hands up and said 'okay, when I am in Bangladesh, I might not play but when I am away, I want to be the first name on the list',” he suggested, adding: “I think they [pacers] should be disappointed at not playing, but it is not the end of the world or end of the road.”
As a professional, Walsh was satisfied with Bangladesh's success but as a West Indian he had reason to be saddened after the innings and 184-run loss in the second Test sealed a whitewash for Bangladesh. “As a West Indian, you are going to be disappointed in the performance, and saddened by the margin of defeat in India and here. You hope that after Bangladesh win all the series here and the West Indies leave, they will improve in those performances.”
