New Delhi: head coach Phil Simmons expects Australia to make a strong comeback in the second Test after his team registered a .The result was Bangladesh’s first Test win Down Under, which was described by Australian media as the “Darwin Disaster”.
Simmons said that his players cannot afford to relax when they face the World Test Championship table toppers in Mackay from Saturday, adding that they know that Australia will come harder at them.
“The only thing I had to say to them – and I will repeat it anyway – is that Australia is going to come harder. We have to either keep that level of performance or get a little bit better. Even if we have to get 1% better in some areas, then we will have to make sure that that’s there,” Simmons said.
“But we know that they are going to change their game. They are going to come harder at us,” he added. The head coach also said that the victory in Darwin was one of the most satisfying results of his coaching career in Test cricket.
Bangladesh likely to retain the same playing XI for the second Test despite left-arm fast bowler Shoriful Islam nearing a return. Shoriful has picked up 27 wickets in 13 Tests, and missed the first Test due to a hamstring injury.
“He offers something different. But again, we just won a test match. I’m one who hardly likes to change winning teams. So it’s a possibility, but I can’t really say,” Simmons added.
Australia announce playing XI for 2nd Test
Australia have made one change to their playing XI on Friday. Matt Renshaw will open the batting along with Travis Head, replacing Jake Weatherald. Captain Pat Cummins had also considered playing four fast bowlers by replacing spinner Nathan Lyon with Scott Boland, but the final XI was confirmed after training.
Australia XI for 2nd Test vs Bangladesh: Matt Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.