Bangladesh will play their first Test in Australia since 2003 when they take on the hosts in Darwin. While their preparations were dented by a 54-run all-out collapse against a Cricket Australia XI, Shanto insisted that the result would not define his team\u2019s readiness for the Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Bangladesh skipper said his side had deliberately worked on bouncy surfaces at home in recent months and had also benefited from spending nearly two weeks in Australia before the Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cTackling the bounce is the key, but we have been preparing on bouncy wickets at home in the last few months. That gives us a little bit more of an idea. Here, there will be bounce, and we are well prepared having arrived 10 or 12 days before the Test. It gives us more of an idea regarding the bounce. They have a world-class bowling attack, but as a team, it is a good opportunity to challenge them,\u201d Shanto said ahead of the match as quoted by Cricinfo.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shanto also downplayed the significance of the poor practice match performance, noting that Bangladesh had experienced difficult outings during past preparation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe have had [poor outings] in practice matches before. This came in the preparation phase. We can have a bad day, but I think we have prepared ourselves pretty well,\u201d he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The captain acknowledged that batting would be Bangladesh\u2019s biggest challenge, particularly when facing the new ball against an attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe are confident that we will play some good cricket. As a batting unit, there will be a lot of challenges, and we have been trying to do a lot of work,\u201d Shanto said. \u201cI think the challenge will be greater against the new ball. I think everyone will play their natural game, try to score runs. We are playing against a top bowling attack. It is important how much consistency and focus we can have. We have to try to bat for longer periods.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bangladesh have also received a boost with Litton Das declared fit for the Test. His return provides additional stability to a middle order that could come under considerable pressure against Australia\u2019s four-pronged attack.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cLitton gives us batting depth. He is consistent. We are hopeful of our batting unit doing well in the Test match,\u201d Shanto said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Bangladesh captain also indicated that the team could opt for two frontline spinners in Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, alongside three fast bowlers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cLitton gives us batting depth. He is consistent. We are hopeful of our batting unit doing well in the Test match,\u201d Shanto said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt looks like a pretty good wicket. We haven\u2019t had a chance to play on a drop-in wicket, but as professional cricketers, we have to adapt to those challenges. As I mentioned, the preparation is there, so I hope we can adjust to this condition. There\u2019s grass on the wicket, but it\u2019s a good wicket where both batters and bowlers will find help. Maybe the bowlers will get us good results,\u201d Shanto said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n