Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has warned his team to prepare for a fierce fightback from Australia in the second Test and urged his players to raise their game even higher, after securing a historic nine-wicket victory in the series opener in Darwin.
Simmons made it clear that while the win in Darwin was monumental, it is far from complete as they prepare for the second Test to be played at the Great Barrier Reef Arena. “The only thing I had to say to them – and I will repeat it anyway – is that Australia is going to come harder.
“So 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. But we know that they are going to change their game. They are going to come harder at us,” Simmons said on Thursday. Reflecting on the team’s work ethic, Simmons said his faith in the group never wavered, despite bundled out for just 54 runs in a warm-up match against a Cricket Australia XI prior to the game in Darwin. “I’ve seen the practices, I’ve seen how we practiced before the three-day game, and I’ve seen how we practiced the three days before the Test match. So the work didn’t change. Even though we made 54, an off day, the work rate didn’t change. So it gives me that sort of confidence that the guys want this, and they want to do well. “I’m impressed with all the bowlers. They’re good batsmen (in the Australia side), they’re world-class batsmen. You try and be consistent in areas that will test them.” Agencies