so what do you guys think.Should Bangladesh be stripped off its test status.
(Saby and Ehsan Bhai, if you guys want, we can have poll on this issue. Thanks)
Benaud calls for ban on minnows
Monday, 30 May , 2005, 11:28
**London:** Former Australian captain Richie Benaud Richie Benaud added his voice to calls for Bangladesh and Zimbabwe to be dropped from senior international cricket. The Australia cricket great, currently in England where he is commentating for broadcaster Channel 4, made his comments after witnessing Bangladesh's innings and 261 run defeat in the first Test at Lord's.
The match, Bangladesh’s first Test in England, finished before lunch on the third day on Saturday with Benaud labelling it an “absolute shambles”.
Benaud, writing in the News of the World, Britain’s biggest selling Sunday tabloid, was adamant that the presence of Bangladesh - whose only win in 37 Tests has come against fellow strugglers Zimbabwe - was neither good for the game as a whole or for the teams themselves.
“After witnessing this two-and-a-bit day farce at Lord’s, I am convinced our game’s governing body - the International Cricket Council - must make a firm and swift decision,” Benaud said.
"They must remove Bangladesh and Zimbabwe from full-time international cricket until their ability and infrastructure warrant their re-inclusion.
“Both teams need to be put on hold for the good of cricket. They are simply not good enough to be pitched against proper Test match countries.”
Benaud added: "What should be done is to have both countries scheduled to play a carefully programmed series of matches against A teams and minor teams from the other eight (Test) countries and they should play against one another as well.
“They can undertake short tours where none of the opposition will be of international standard and we can see if they are improving, standing still or going backwards.”
The ICC is due to hold its annual meetings at Lord’s in June. However, it is unlikely that the standing of either Bangladesh or Zimbabwe will be on the agenda given that the governing body has repeatedly said the duo’s Test status is not up for discussion.
Benaud, 74, one of cricket’s best-known broacasters, was the first player to complete the all-round double of 2,000 Test runs and 200 Test wickets.
The leg-spinner led Australia in 28 of his 63 Tests and never lost a series as captain.
Bangladesh should lose Test status, says Warne Reuters
London, May 30, 2005
Struggling Bangladesh should not be at playing at Test level, says Australia leg spinner Shane Warne. “At the moment, I feel sorry for the Bangladesh players because they are getting mauled time and time again,” Warne wrote in a column for a British daily on Monday.
"It is all very well to say that they are gaining experience, but how do you improve when you are being embarrassed and humiliated in public week after week?
“To be brutally honest, they are not up to standard and should not be playing Test cricket.”
The Asian nation, the most recent addition to the 10-team Test fraternity, were humiliated by England at Lord’s last week in the first Test of a two-match series.
Bangladesh, outclassed throughout, lost by an innings and 261 runs on the third morning, having conceded a 420-run first-innings deficit after being steamrollered for 108 on the opening day.
For Bangladesh, playing at Lord’s for the first time, it was their 32nd defeat in 37 Tests.
“The worst aspect is that I cannot see any light on the horizon for Bangladesh,” added Warne. "I have not seen anything to suggest that they might be even a moderate team in the years ahead.
FREEING SCHEDULE
"Looking at international cricket overall, it is clear that taking away Bangladesh and Zimbabwe would free up time in the schedule.
“I think most people — certainly most players — believe that it is too cramped as things stand. Fewer countries means less cricket means more rest means fewer injuries means a better standard when we do play.”
However, Warne does not want Bangladesh to lose their international status.
“They could play first-class cricket against state teams in other countries – India, as their neighbours, would be a good place to start,” he said.
"Maybe they could host A tours so that spectators could still see decent cricket and get behind them.
“If Bangladesh become successful, I am sure it would have a huge, positive effect on the country and inspire millions of youngsters. But there are ways to help without exposing them to a level above their capabilities.”
One of five players named as Wisden’s cricketers of the 20th century for revitalising the art of leg spin, Warne is captaining English county side Hampshire this season.
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