St John`s, Antigua, March 31: Australia captain Ricky Ponting still isn`t convinced smaller cricket nations should be competing at the World Cup.
Whether that applies to Bangladesh is another matter.
Australia plays Bangladesh on Saturday in the World Cup Super 8s after the Asian team qualified from its first-round group by beating powerhouse India.
It`s the first time Bangladesh has advanced at one-day cricket`s elite tournament after two previous attempts. Ponting thinks the side has improved so much, they are no longer one of the game`s also-rans.
"You have to pay them the attention that they deserve," Ponting said Friday. "They use the minnow tag very well and in their favor, being a bit better than that. They have improved a lot."
Pace bowlers Mashrafe Mortaza and Syed Rasel are part of that improvement and likely to lead Bangladesh`s attack at Antigua`s Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Captain Habibul Bashar also tipped exciting 18-year-old batsman Tamim Iqbal to go after the bowling of Australia veteran Glenn McGrath.
Iqbal already helped Bangladesh get off to a winning start two weeks ago. He opened in the shock five-wicket win over India and hit 51 from 53 balls, including two sixes and seven fours.
"They`ve got some young players that are very capable on their day as we`ve seen," Ponting said. "We have prepared for them in this game as we would a South Africa, West Indies or New Zealand game."
That`s high praise from a man who has criticized the opinion that the inclusion of small teams alongside the powerhouses helps develop the game. Ponting is among those who thinks it might even be counterproductive to pitch unprepared sides against big teams.
He looks elsewhere for the reason behind Bangladesh`s progress.
"I`m not sure it`s just playing in these events that lets them improve," Ponting said. "It`s a lot to do with the infrastructure in their own country, and getting enough money to develop their grounds and venues and facilities."
Bangladesh has struggled to compete with larger teams since being granted test status in 2000, losing 31 of its first 35 tests before achieving a first win.
Its one-day record, however, included series wins over Zimbabwe and Kenya - which, although not a major team reached the semifinals of the 2003 World Cup - and a famous five-wicket victory over Australia in 2005.
"It`s long gone and forgotten about as far as we`re concerned," Ponting said. "We just didn`t play well that day. Bangladesh played well and we made lots of mistakes."
However, with his team keeping its eyes on a third straight World Cup, Ponting`s support for Bangladesh only goes so far.
"We`ve seen some good young talent come out of Bangladesh," Ponting said. "Hopefully they continue to improve. Just not tomorrow."
Bureau Report
