Simmons said his Bangladesh players have arrived in Mackay full of confidence following their upset victory in the first Test, but the former West Indies international remains wary of an immediate and strong response from Australia as they look to maintain their position at the head of the World Test Championship standings.
The loss to Bangladesh in the opening Test was just Australia’s second defeat of the current World Test Championship cycle and Simmons has warned his players to be ready for an improved performance from the hosts.
“The only thing I had to say to them, and I will repeat it anywhere, is that Australia is going to come harder. So we have to either keep that level of performance or get a little bit better,” Simmons said.
“Even if we get one percent better in some areas, then we will have to make sure that that’s there. But we know that they are going to change their game, they’re going to come harder at us.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Musfik Hasan, Litton Das, Shoriful Islam
