The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sports Reporter

Bangladesh National Cricket team led by Mohammad Ashraful returned home yesterday after they had been whitewashed by mighty Australia 3-0 in the three match ODI series in Darwin of Australia.

Bangladesh made a poor start in their ODI campaign as the Tigers were skittled out for only 74 and tasted a formidable 180-run defeat by the world champions Australia in Darwin on August 30.

Later, Bangladesh were shot out for 117 in the second ODI and conceded a massive eight-wicket defeat by Aussies in Darwin on September 3.

The Tigers could not come out from their misery as the Tigers were bundled out for 125 in the third ODI and tasted 73-run defeat by Australia in Darwin on September 6. Bangladesh's only consolation was opener Tamim Iqbal, who hit a notable 63 in the last ODI against tight bowling of Australia. The prolific Bangladesh opener was adjudged the man of the match for his outstanding batting.

It may be mentioned that Australia took part in three ODI matches against Bangladesh without their regular four notable players, They are : Ricky Ponting, Bret Lee, Mathew Hayden and Andrew Symonds.

Without four key playrs Australia ravaged Bangladesh, it is a common question to the general people if the four key players participated in the three ODI against Bangladesh, what kind of result will bring the Tigers for the cricket lovers of the country.

The 14 crore people of the country expect consistent and responsible batting, bowling and fielding from their side. Thepeople of the country do not want to watch those kind of amateur cricket any more.

Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful has admitted the pressure of leading the hopes of a cricket-mad nation can get "out of control", but that hasn't stopped him from declaring he can transform them into one of the world's top five teams.

Ashraful failed to deliver on heavy expectation as Bangladesh slumped to a 3-0 series loss in Darwin this week, with coach Jamie Siddons stating the only reason he is still in the side is because he is captain.

"I am the biggest critic of my inconsistency, I know I have let many people down including myself for that," Ashraful told the Herald.

"My natural instinct is to dominate bowlers and get on top of them. I play better when I start dominating from the start. Maybe I take a few more risks because of that early on in my innings.

"I am trying to play the way I could be more successful in the long run. I am working really hard on that with Siddons who I think is an excellent batting tactician. I believe the results will come soon."

Asked how he envisioned the next decade, he replied: "I see myself playing cricket at the highest level and performing with the bat in both forms of the game. I want to win more matches for Bangladesh and hope to see the team ranked among the top five nations in world cricket."