Tail-Ender

Monday 17th - May

New Zealand v Bangladesh

The prediction seemingly on everyone’s lips that one of the minnows will spring a surprise win against a major nation is beginning to look increasingly tenuous as the ICC champions fall to a rampant New Zealand at Chelmsford. Although the Bangledeshi Tigers were reduced to a sorry 51-7 at one stage, some splendid Tail-End Charlie fireworks from last wicket pair Hasibul Hussain and Manjural Islam were only finally brought to an end when Hassibal pulled Geoff Allott into the safe hands of Matt Horne at mid-wicket. As you’d expect Tail-Ender is quite a connoisseur of these tail-end thrashes and was sorry to see a promising effort brought to such a premature conclusion by an obvious no-ball, still it couldn’t dim the enthusiasm of the massed Bangledeshi supporters who cheered every run and wicket as if their heroes were winning the World Cup final itself.

Earlier Allot had opened the bowling for the New Zealanders and produced a fiery spell which trapped both unfortunate Bangledeshi openers plumb in front and brought the thoroughly non-partisan assessment from one Kiwi commentator that he was straight out of the ‘Wasim Akram mould’. ‘Nuff respect to Geoff’s impressive left-arm spurt, but this plaudit earns said commentator Tail-Ender’s first Hyperbole in the face of Overwhelming Reality award of the tournament.