Last Updated on 22 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
South Africa pace-bowling legend and ex-Bangladesh bowling coach Allan Donald expects Australia to respond after copping a thrashing in the first Test in Darwin.
The second Test in Mackay begins on Saturday, and there has been one casualty with Jake Weatherald dropped for Matt Renshaw. The spotlight is firmly on other members of the team too, with Marnus Labuschagne’s spot hanging by a thread after a poor first Test.
Speaking to CricBlog, Donald says Bangladesh should be proud of their effort in Darwin, but the challenge is repeating that in the second match.
“Lots on the cards for the Bangladeshi team. Great to see, but they’re going to have to do it again against strong Australian team,” Donald said.
“A lot of ex-players are sharpening the knives and coming out saying there should be change [in the Australian XI].”
Allan Donald expects a big response from Australia, calls on Bangladesh to produce another strong display
The first Test in Darwin was a match rarely seen on Australian shores. Bangladesh dominated the game from day one, dismissing Australia for 198 after the hosts opted to bat.
Then, Bangladesh responded to their own awful day out – the 54 all-out against Cricket Australia XI – with a patient, disciplined and calculated effort with the bat. The Tigers batted 138 overs for their 426, ensuring the pitch started to take more turn as Australia attempted to overcome the deficit and set a strong lead. They didn’t get close.
“With the bat, Bangladesh were brilliant and aggressive, so it was just all in all a magnificent team performance that they can feel very proud of,” Donald said.
However, the legendary fast bowler warned Bangladesh that they will need to remain switched on in Mackay.
“And there’s just no question about it that Australia is going to come with an almighty comeback and then there would be some words for sure [within the Australian camp].”
But the belief instilled by the Bangladesh leadership group, especially Najmul Hossain Shanto, can hold them in good stead. They came into the match off the back of innings defeats to Zimbabwe and the CA XI, but they remained positive.
“Ahead of this tour, we were having a conversation about not getting any opportunity of playing in Australia,” the captain said after the nine-wicket win in Darwin.
“Batting well against their bowling line-up, and bowling well to their batters, so we wanted to enjoy doing these things rather than feel worried about the conditions. We accepted the challenge, which showed in the way we adapted and enjoyed in this Test match.”
The second Test at Great Barrier Reef Arena begins on Saturday August 22. Day one is sold out, with around 10,000 fans expected to attend.
