Tigers working on a windy problem

The Tigers are scheduled to play a two-day practice match in Lincoln tomorrow and fast bowler Abu Jayed informed that players, in particular the pacers, are working on the gale wind.

The wind blows heavily in these parts of New Zealand. The Tigers had stayed at Christchurch yesterday -- a 25 minute drive away from Lincoln where the practice match is -- and are finding it difficult to contend with the wind. Tigers' pace bowlers have never bowled in such frequent gusts.

"First thing in the practice match is the wind. The wind here is very strong and that is what we will be working on in the two-day practice match," Jayed said.

The pacers were finding it difficult to keep their line since the ball gets sprayed around due to the blast. Batsman too will have to adjust since batting will not be an easy task either with seam movement added to the mix.

"Pace bowlers have to bowl in the right areas. It was difficult to bowl today because the ball kept going here and there. We have to adjust to New Zealand conditions with the practice match," Jayed commented on the focus for the two-day practice game.

The pacers have not bowled a lot in Test matches at home. Having arrived here, they are the ones who will have to lead the way if Bangladesh are to mount a challenge against hosts New Zealand in the longest and hardest format of the game. Jayed said they have had enough time to get acclimatized to the weather and now taking wickets was what the pace trio of Mustafizur Rahman, Khaled Ahmed and he himself will be targeting.

"In Test cricket, early breakthroughs are important. So we pacers will try to get early breakthroughs," he remarked. Asked if they were physically and mentally ready since they have not played many Tests, Jayed said: "Yes ofcourse. We arrived eight days earlier. Main target is to take 20 wickets since 20 wickets are what we will need to win the Tests. I think we have gotten quite acclimatized with the weather by now."