Plan to ‘stop the rot’
Against Pakistan we were 200 ahead and then we lost wickets. Against the West Indies, we probably should have won the [Chattogram] Test when they chased down 395. We won the Test in New Zealand. We played really well in the first four days in the Durban Test. The challenge is to sustain that in the second Test. I definitely think we have the ability to beat any side if we play really well for the full five days. Not for four days.
"When we have a bad session, we have a really bad session. If we lose one or two wickets, that can't turn into losing five. It is something we are trying to address all the time. We are trying to stay calm in the dressing room so that the batsmen stop the rot," Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo said about his side's batting debacles in their past few Tests.
Despite being in advantageous positions, Bangladesh lost wickets in a hurry against Pakistan in Chattogram and then again in Dhaka. They struggled in South Africa against spin, losing wickets towards the close of play or in clusters during certain sessions. When one or two wickets go, it usually paves the way for more to follow and Domingo said they were working on a game plan to unsettle the opposition bowlers.
A few scoring shots from Mahmudul Hasan Joy were cheered on by players during a practice session yesterday and the governing idea may have been to dictate terms against spinners by using their feet more prominently. Instead of boundary balls, the team had about waiting with a more positive approach.
"It is all about sticking to a game plan," Domingo said before the practice session. "I think the important thing is to try to get singles to get off strike. Whether that means we are using the paddle, using our feet or going deep in the crease. Maybe we are just blocking and looking for the four-ball a bit much.
Domingo felt positively about the wicket at Chattogram and also pointed out that the bounce that spinners get on Bangladeshi surfaces would not be a headache.
"I think they don't struggle against left-arm spin because the wickets don't bounce as much in Bangladesh, but they struggle against bounce that spinners get away from Bangladesh. Generally, wickets stay low in Bangladesh, so they get leg before and bowled. In foreign conditions, the ball spins and youg might get one from the bat to the pad and caught in the slips."
Even batters such as Yasir Ali put in a session with the ball yesterday. Bangladesh's main dilemma hinges on whether Shakib Al Hasan will be available after returning a negative test for Covid-19 yesterday, opening the door for five bowlers.
"I think we need to consider someone who can bowl. Yasir has played some really good innings for us, but we need to find someone who can bowl 10-15 overs. I am not sure if [Test captain] Mominul [Haque] is confident of bowling 10-15 overs. Nazmul Hossain Shanto is not quite there to bowl 6-7 overs a day. Teams that have got that guy who can bat at number six or seven and bowl 10-15 overs a day are more balanced. We need to find that person when Shakib is not there. When he is there, easy. But he has not been there much," Domingo added.
Shakib's absence could definitely open the door for Mosaddek Hossain's inclusion since it gives the side added depth with the bat, especially with the other spinning all-rounder Mehedi Miraz unavailable for the first Test.
"He [Mosaddek] is definitely in consideration to play if Shakib is not playing," Domingo said as Tigers look for a solution in case Shakib does not make the playing eleven.
Comments