Recuperated left-arm speedster has joined Bangladesh in North Queensland as visitors eye historic series win
Bangladesh will wait until the toss to announce their XI for the Mackay Test but have seen promising signs from left-arm quick Shoriful Islam at their net sessions at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
The Tigers, who pulled off a nine-wicket victory over Australia last week, will take as much time as possible to decide on the best combination for the first match at the newest Test venue in the country.
Coach Phil Simmons suggested on Thursday night that he would be hesitant to change the winning formula from Darwin, saying he is “one who hardly likes to change winning XIs”.
However, the tourists have options.
Shoriful arrived in Queensland after being cleared to join the squad following a hamstring strain and had a long bowl to his batters on Thursday evening. He bowled with good pace and rhythm and would offer a left-arm pace option.
Should the 25-year-old force his way into the side, it’s likely to be at the expense of another pace bowler rather than a spinner.
Captain Najmul Shanto said he was delighted with the bowling combination from the previous Test, calling it a “luxury” to have experienced tweakers Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam in the same side.
“I’ve said many times that the spin attack we have, they are very experienced and they can bowl in any conditions,” Shanto told reporters on Friday.
“So I have that luxury to go with three (quicks and) two (spinners).
“If we really feel that we need a fourth seamer, the fourth and fifth seamers are ready … At the moment I’m really happy with the two spinners and the pace.”
Another aspect that is coming into consideration for the Bangladeshis is the wind, with a stiff south-easterly sweeping through the venue this week.
There’s a small grandstand at the northern, broadcast end of the ground but for the most part Great Barrier Reef Arena is a very open venue, with a grass hill for almost the length of the eastern side.
“The weather is different. It is cooler than Darwin, with a bit more wind,” Shanto said.
“I think the bowlers will get an advantage from the breeze … Two days of training gave players a fair idea of this venue.”
First-Test centurion Tanzid Hasan Tamim didn’t bat at the main session on Thursday and reportedly was sent for scans on his neck overnight.
However, after waiting 90 minutes into Bangladesh’s Friday hitout, Tanzid had a 50-minute hit against bowlers and coaches and showed no signs of discomfort.
Shanto confirmed that both Tanzid and veteran Mushfiqur Rahim, who copped a nasty ball to the hand, would be available for selection.
NRMA Insurance Bangladesh Test series
First Test: Bangladesh won by nine wickets
Second Test: August 22-26, Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, 10am (local)
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
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
