Rubel aims to translate his ODI form into Test cricket
Sports Reporter
Bangladesh fast bowler Rubel Hossain has the worst average amongst the bowlers who has taken at least 15 wickets in Test cricket. Rubel claimed 32 wickets in 24 matches with an average of 77.93. For any frontline bowler, its a shameful record what is enough to discard him from the longer version format. But the problem is, Rubel is not that bad bowler what the statistics suggests.
He indeed has been one of the most successful bowlers for Bangladesh in ODI cricket. In this format, he took 93 wickets in 77 matches with an average of 35.19. What standout is that he single-handedly won some matches for Bangladesh against some top opposition when Bangladesh wasnt that strong team.
For a bowler who grabs enormous success in ODI cricket, it is tough to accept the nasty record in Test cricket. At the same time Bangladesh also need a senior bowler like Rubel in Test cricket, specially when the country relies on junior bowlers to do the demanding job in five-day cricket. Rubel understands that he needs to translate his ODI form to the Test cricket, not only to correct his bowling statistics, but also to come as help of the country.
And he cant get a best companion than the current fast bowling coach Courtney Walsh to come out from the Test misery. Walsh once was the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket after he finished his career with 519 wickets in 132 matches with an average of just 24.
There are many things to learn from him because he is one of the most successful Test bowlers. I need to learn how to bowl with good line and length at a stretch in longer version format. In Test cricket, its not easy to get batsman out. There are certainly some techniques to disturb batsman and I want to know that from Walsh, said Rubel.
He however missed some sessions with Walsh because of his rehabilitation after having operation on his jaw. That was a peculiar injury that Rubel received after the semifinal of the ICC Champions Trophy against India. He was hit by door when Taskin was opening it. It wasnt that serious at that time. But with the time passing, the pain became intolerable which forced him to undergo operation.
Now I am fully fit. Today I bowled with full run up with high intensity. I didnt feel any pain. Some sessions with Walsh was missed. I need to recover that first. But he will work with us in long term basis. So there is enough time to learn all the tricks, Rubel added.
Aside bowling, Rubel also tries to learn some batting tips from the new batting coach Mark ONeil. Head coach Chandika Hathurusingha had already directed that the lower order should contribute in batting, a thing that bothered Bangladesh always. Only because of the failure of lower order, Bangladesh most of the time couldnt get expected runs on the board.
ONeil tries to teach us how to accompany a genuine batsman when the lower order is exposed. If there is no genuine batsman, of course the lower order should take onus. ONeil is giving us instruction on how to drive the innings when there is no genuine batsman.
