Talk » confident. I back my team, my co

The buzz surrounding Bangladeshs two-match Test series against England is yet to wear off but the decoration at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, the home of Bangladesh cricket, has already changed to T20 colours. This was inevitable due to the schedule but the quick shift of attention on this occasion seemed jarring.Thats because arguably for the first time since their inaugural Test 16 years ago, Bangladesh has been competitive in a Test series against a major team. The 1-1 result could have been even better for the home side had they overcome tight corners in the Chittagong Test but in Dhaka, they finally beat a team ranked much higher than them.While the players involved will enjoy at least couple of days off, they will soon return to the hectic world of the Bangladesh Premier League, which is designed to swallow up attention spans, airwaves and column inches in the country. The win over England, a seminal moment in Bangladeshs cricket, will not be given the rightful time to sink in, and be reflected upon.The general apathy towards Test cricket has been around for a very long time, and much of it is due to better results in ODI, which was already a format highly relatable with the public due to Bangladeshs historic proclivity towards one-day cricket.It has also partly caused a disconnect between the BCBs protection of Test status and its efforts to keep Tests as the primary format for the Bangladesh team. The BCB has vehemently opposed the idea of a two-tier Test system, and whenever discussions surrounding this proposal have come up, the board has successfully wiggled out of it.In early 2014 a working group of the Finance & Commercial Affairs committee of the ICC proposed that teams ranked Nos. 9 and 10 (Bangladesh at the time) play in the Intercontinental Cup from 2015, but it was an idea that was ultimately shelved along with many other proposals of the Big Three era. The BCB also opposed the two-tier structure, which was discussed this year at the ICC, and ultimately prevailed after the plan was shelved once again. But its opposition in board meetings hasnt necessarily contributed to an attitude towards giving the team more Tests.The latest gap, which lasted more than 14 months, was the teams longest period without a Test match. While it is true that Australia postponed their two-Test series in October 2015 due to security fears, and Bangladeshs first-ever Test in India was moved from August this year to February 2017, the BCB also shelved plans to play Tests against Zimbabwe in November last year, January this year and even after the World T20 in March.Scheduling around the Under-19 World Cup was given as one of the reasons for the postponement of hosting Zimbabwe but the BCB generally prefers to play the format of the ICC event in the lead-up. So after playing three ODIs and two T20s against Zimbabwe in November last year, Bangladesh played against the same opposition in four more T20s in January so that they were in the groove for the subsequent Asia Cup and World T20.Previously, Bangladeshs longest stretch without a Test was exactly 14 months (from June 4 2010 to August 4 2011), while there have also been gaps of 13 (once), seven (twice) and six months (three times). Before the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, Bangladesh put all their focus on ODIs, which for the first instance was reasonable because they had a poor 2003 tournament in South Africa. But ahead of the 2011 World Cup at home, postponed Tests against New Zealand were hardly given a thought because of a 4-0 victory in the ODIs.Most teams schedule more ODIs before a 50-over World Cup but Bangladeshs focus shifted away from Tests in 2000 - when they gained Full Member status - to ODIs by 2006 mostly due to the lack of progress in the longer format during this period. Their only series win was against Zimbabwe at home in 2005, and only after they had lost most of their top players, and the next wins came against a third-rate West Indies side in 2009. Beating Zimbabwe in Harare back in 2013 was perhaps their most well-earned win, given how they had to bounce back from a massive defeat in the previous game; another notch in their belt was drawing against Sri Lanka in Galle that same year. But these are slim pickings for a Test nation that promised much in the beginning.What has also been frustrating of late is the absence of A-team tours, which has disappointed many in the Bangladesh team management. If they had been arranged, then Test specialists like Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam could have been in touch with top-quality cricket. Instead, they had to rely on long net sessions and some domestic first-class matches in the build-up for England.Even for the Test series against New Zealand, Bangladeshs preparation would entail four weeks of BPL followed by a ten-day camp in Sydney and then three ODIs and three T20s in New Zealand. Then they play the one-off Test against India after which a tour of Sri Lanka with Tests and ODIs is also being discussed before they head into the Champions Trophy. Even afterwards, there will be a push for ODIs as they would also like to ensure automatic qualification to the 2019 World Cup, though the BCB president Nazmul Hassan has suggested that is already within their grasp.Bangladesh cricket has a lot on its plate in 2017, with more focus on ICC events like the World T20s as well as in the home front where the BCB elections are knocking at the door. Test cricket will continue to have less attention but if they are really interested to get better at it, perhaps proper succession planning is the answer. It should include four-day matches against Afghanistan and Ireland, which sounds unsexy but even if Bangladesh A play the games, they would get opposition that is better than the fare at the domestic level.The talk of two-tier Test cricket will not die down any time soon so if Bangladesh wants to keep itself relevant as a Test-playing nation, focusing solely on keeping their status wont be enough. Playing more Tests gives them more chance of winning, which would in turn make them more watchable and commercially viable as a cricket nation. The win against England should not be treated as an exception; it is a firm stepping stone for Bangladesh towards greater progress.Adidas Nmd Levně Panske . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Adidas Nmd r1 Damske . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. http://www.botynmdlevne.com/adidas-nmd-damske-levne/nmd-r2.html . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Boty Adidas Nmd Levně . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. Adidas Nmd Dámské Cerne . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from.Great Britain hopes a couple of faces from yesteryear can help it continue its dominance on the track.Former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, the reigning Olympic time trial gold medalist, has largely retired from road racing and will be part of the British mens pursuit squad aiming to repeat its gold from four years ago in London. He has already has won three gold, a silver and two bronze medals in track cycling events dating to the 2000 Sydney Games.His good friend, Mark Cavendish, will head from the Tour right to the track to compete in the multi-discipline omnium. The sprint specialist decided the road course in Rio would be too challenging for him, so he opted for the track to finally capture the Olympic medal that has long eluded him.Ive made no secret that my aim is to win an Olympic medal, he said. Its always a proud moment to be able to pull on a GB jersey and to be able to do so at the Olympic Games is extra special. Im committed to doing my absolute best out in Rio.Cavendish was favored with Wiggins to win the Madison event -- no longer part of the program -- but wound up ninth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He did not factor into the road race four years ago in London.Still, all eyes will be on him and the rest of the British squad in Rio, considering the team won seven of the 10 track gold medals at the London. But there are other story lines to watch, too:GB RETIREMENTS: The British squad had to retool after the London Games when Chris Hoy, one of the most decorated Olympians in history, and popular sprinter Victoria Pendleton stepped away.Jason Kenny began to take Hoys mantle as Britains best sprinter with his gold in London, but hes had an uneven past four years. His victory at the world championships left him ranked third in the world.TEAM USA: Sarah Hammer, Chloe Dygert, Ruth Winder, Jennifer Valente and Kelly Catlin shredded the world record in the womens team pursuit in March. They offer the best U.S. chance of winning a cycling medal, but will be pushed by the top-ranked British squad and world bronze medalist Canada.I dont know if theres pressure (because of the record), Hammer said. I dont feel type of pressure and I dont think the girls do, either.dddddddddddd I think the pressure we feel is that we want to be successful.ANOTHER POWERHOUSE: Germany may be the only nation that can rival Britains dominance. Joachim Eilers and Kristina Vogel are reigning keirin world champs, Vogel and Miriam Welte won gold in the team sprint four years ago in London, and Roger Kluge has medal aspirations in the omnium.Germany also has a strong mens sprint squad and Max Niederlag is an under-the-radar contender.FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER: Australia will be trying to replicate its success from London, when it won four track medals anchored by Anna Meares victory over Pendleton in a dramatic sprint final.Meares is still among the worlds best, taking silver in the keirin at the world championships and teaming with Stephanie Morton to form a potent sprint combo. Matt Glaetzer is a sprint medal threat, Glenn OShea likewise in the omnium, and the Aussies boast the best mens pursuit squad in the world.Ive medaled at every world championships Ive ridden since the London Games. I won my world championship in an Olympic event and posted the fastest standing lap times for the team sprint, Meares said. I have to feel confident. I back my team, my coach and the preparation that Ive done.THE VELODROME: The venue itself was among the last to be completed, the source of constant trouble for Rio organizers. Multiple test events were postponed or canceled, contractors had to be swapped out and, even after it was deemed operational in late June, there was still plenty of work to do. The track events were among the most popular cycling events at the London Games, drawing sellout crowds that included everyone from Paul McCartney to Prince Williams. Will the momentum carry into Rio?I dont want to lose any of the interest weve seen in track cycling the last few years, said Brian Cookson, the president of the UCI, cyclings world governing body. Really, the Athens and Beijing games have provided track programs that were really exciting. Im sure we can do the same in Rio. ' ' '