Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto says all five pacers in his squad are ready to play Australia in the second Test at Mackay.
The match starts on Saturday at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. Bangladesh lead the series 1-0 after their historic nine-wicket win in Darwin.
Shanto has not ruled out a pace-heavy attack. He also has two spinners who can adapt to different conditions.
“The wicket looks good,” Shanto said at his pre-match press conference on Friday. “We had a little more bounce on the wicket where we practised. All five pacers in the squad are ready. The positive thing is that we have two spinners who can bowl well in any conditions.”
The choice will depend on the Mackay surface. Shanto said the team has used the past two days to understand the new conditions after travelling from Darwin.
Bangladesh’s seamers set up the first Test win. Hasan Mahmud took six wickets in Australia’s first innings and finished with nine in the match. Mehidy Hasan Miraz then took five wickets in the second innings.
Shanto believes that victory has given his players confidence. He also wants them to leave it behind before Saturday.
“Of course, a win like that gives confidence,” he said. “As professional cricketers, it is very important to come back from it. The players have done that well in the two days of practice. They have adapted well.”
The captain stressed that Darwin no longer matters when Bangladesh walk out in Mackay.
“That is now in the past,” Shanto said. “We have discussed how we can adapt to these conditions. Hopefully, the players can come out of that and start again here.”
Mackay has offered different weather. Shanto said the conditions feel cooler than Darwin and the wind has been stronger.
“Preparation has been good,” he said. “The weather is a little different. It is cooler here and there is more wind. After two days of practice, I think the players have got a good idea.”
That wind could give Bangladesh’s seamers another weapon.
“If we can use the wind, there will be a good opportunity for the bowlers,” Shanto said.
