Chastened by a heavy defeat, Bangladesh begin the second and final Test against Zimbabwe today looking to prove they can adapt to foreign conditions and match their fellow Test strugglers.
The Asian side came into the series as hot favorites after improved performances in Sri Lanka, only to be bowled out for 134 and 147 as they lost the first Test to Zimbabwe by 335 runs at Harare Sports Club.
With the second Test being played on the same ground another green-tinged pitch is expected, and Bangladesh will need to show greater durability against Zimbabwe’s pace attack if they are to come away from the series with some dignity.
Photo: AFP
“We didn’t play with any patience and we need to improve that,” Bangladesh coach Shane Jurgensen said on Tuesday. “We just have to bat for longer.”
“When the game starts we have to be very disciplined in our approach to every ball and do our basics well, which we probably didn’t do in the first game,” he said.
The Tigers will also need to find a way to dismiss Brendan Taylor cheaply, after he became just the third Zimbabwean to score back-to-back centuries in a Test match.
Taylor was dropped once on his way to 171 in the first innings, but did not offer a chance as he breezed to 102 not out in the second.
“We have certainly been working towards the best way that we can address that situation,” Jurgensen said. “If we get him out for a low score then we have the opportunity to put some pressure on their other batters.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and