Too often, cynicism can be a sportswriter's crutch. Enthusiasm is for the fans and, at a time when the margin between journalist and reader has never been so slim, world-weariness can be a shortcut to maintaining the authority of the words on the page. It implies superior experience and understanding.
It also means that when the unexpected happens, we get headlines like this: "Shock win for Bangladesh breathes new life into Super Eights". That was last Saturday, when the Banglas thrashed South Africa by 67 runs - something that was beyond the West Indies and Sri Lanka. Just four weeks previously, Bangladesh had beaten India by five wickets ("Tigers stun Cup favourites"), and eleven days before that they overcame New Zealand in a warm-up game ("Kiwis surprised by two-wicket upset"). Add in wins against Scotland and Bermuda and their record in the Caribbean so far has been significantly better than England's, and yet if they won today, I think we'll still be surprised.
There is no room for cynicism with this Bangladeshi team. They play an enchanting game of cricket, bolder and more fanciful than that peddled by the likes of England. They've been one of the great things about this World Cup, a dashing young starlet in a party full of staid and middle-aged men in suits. And, despite their results, they're patronised for their success. Even though that game against India was their 150th one-day international, journalists have had to bite their tongues to stop the word 'minnow' slipping out.
There comes a time when small teams force the sport to acknowledge that they have come of age, and for Bangladesh that moment has been in this World Cup. I knew it when I saw Abdur Razzaq land an arm-ball on middle stump and, even as Sachin Tendlukar was shaping to drive a four through cover, the ball straightened off the pitch and snicked his inside edge; he was out caught behind.
Coming of age is definitely the right word too, because while the rest of the world wasn't watching, Dav Whatmore was assembling one of the most prodigiously talented young teams the game has ever seen. Only two of their side are older than 25; the rest are the first wave of a flourishing domestic cricket programme. There will be no major backward steps for Bangladeshi cricket from this tournament onwards. They have announced their arrival and they will only be getting better from here onwards.
In a nation of 150 million people, where cricket is the No1 sport, there is a serious talent pool. Crowds of 20,000 have been known for club finals. Perhaps most impressively, as I was told by a colleague who had recently returned from the Under-19 World Cup, they have a well-organised system of school cricket. It's conducive to identifying, improving and encouraging the best young players. The system is influenced heavily - and wisely - by Australia. The National Academy is run by Allister de Winter, who had a similar job at Western Australia.
When they do lose, it tends to be by huge margins - nine wickets, ten wickets and 198 runs so far in this tournament. That is the almost inevitable effect of trusting so much in youth. It is when they have a sniff of success that their heads rise, smiles and yelps of joy break out and they play brilliant cricket. It is one thing to play with a grin on your face, quite another to still be grinning as you stride down the pitch and pull Zaheer Khan over midwicket for six, another again as you step outside off stump to Andre Nel and scoop the ball to the ropes past short fine leg.
The men who did just that - Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful - are responsible for two of my favourite innings in the tournament, a 53-ball 51 against India's new ball attack and an impish, almost lunatic, 87 to set up a total of 251 against South Africa. They're not alone either: Aftab Ahmed hit more sixes than anyone other than Sanath Jayasuriya in ODIs last year.
Bangladesh also have a collective enjoyment of the game unrivalled by any other team. That doesn't just come from youth - just ask Alastair Cook, England's dour young star, not trusted even for a place in their one-day squad. No, that enthusiasm has to come from something deeply ingrained in their culture. When they unite the carefree style with the consistency of experience, they'll not only be one of the best teams in the world, but one of the best to watch too. If they do manage to get on top of England don't be surprised if they win, and don't believe the headlines in tomorrow's papers that'll tell you it is a shock.
