Satisfied Whatmore credits rains for draw

Chittagong, May 22 (UNI) Satisfied with the result of the first Test, Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore admitted the rains helped his side earn a draw against India here today.

Talking to the reporters after the match, Whatmore said, ''I am very satisfied with the result. It would have been a lot harder for us to draw the match had not many sessions been lost to rain. With a deficit of 149, it's not easy to hold during the whole Test.'' Asked about Mashrafee Mortaza and Shahdat Hossain's heroics with the willow in the Bangladesh first innings, he said, ''It was the only exciting part of the whole game, seeing the way we fought back after being down 148 for 8.

It was great to see the two bowlers bring life back into the match.'' On whether he expected India to declare, he said, ''They had a lead of 149 and then 100 runs in the second innings.

I thought they would declare. However, if we had a session in the morning it would have been more interesting.'' Whatmore dismissed criticism for holding the series at this time of the year, saying, ''If we didn't play the series now when could we play it. Well the one (stadium) at Dhaka drains well and this is not the only ground in the world that doesn't drain well. Its unfortunate to have so much rain.'' He picked out Mashrafee Mortaza for praise. ''Mashrafee is a talented boy and is just beginning to understand what he is capable of. He will get better with time. He will become a very good player if he keeps the injuries away,'' he said.

Among Indian bowlers, he was impressed by RP Singh's ability to get past opposition bats. ''R P Singh bowled really well. It's not easy to come and deliver the balls past the bat. The conditions were very hard. He was rewarded eventually but it was hard,'' Whatmore added.

The Aussie also admitted that veteran Anil Kumble's absence made his boys' lives easier. ''Kumble has 547 wickets. He is a bowler who would surely pose some challenge and the players were looking forward to playing him.'' UNI BA PDS SAM BD1928