Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons has expressed his frustration following a dismal batting display in the second innings of the three-day practice match against Cricket Australia XI in Darwin. The visitors were bowled out for just 54 runs on Saturday, resulting in an innings and 38-run defeat. Simmons did not mince words regarding the performance, stating, “I think we let ourselves down with the bat in this practice match, and you look at how we got out and it wasn’t nice.”
The collapse was largely orchestrated by rookie left-arm pacer Campbell Thompson, who dismantled the Bangladesh lineup with a remarkable spell of 8-25. The visitors’ second innings lasted only 22 overs, with Tanzid Hasan’s 22 being the highest individual score. This followed a first-innings total of 263, while the CA XI had posted 355 in their own opening effort.
Despite the lopsided result, Simmons remains optimistic that his squad can rectify their technical shortcomings before the first Test begins on August 13. “I think that we have three [four] days to work on what we have to do properly in the Test match,” he noted. The coach added that he trusts his players to put in the necessary effort over the coming days to reach the required standard, emphasizing that while the match was disappointing, the team must move forward quickly.
In a positive development for the side, team physio Bayjedul Islam Khan provided an update on left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who had been sidelined since sustaining a finger injury while batting on the opening day. “The injury that Taijul sustained while batting day before yesterday is much better now, both swelling and pain have decreased,” Khan reported on Saturday.
The medical staff remains confident regarding the spinner’s availability for the upcoming series opener. “The first Test is still five days away so we have four days in our hand. I am totally expecting he will be available by that time,” the physio added, offering a glimmer of relief for the touring party as they shift their attention toward the official Test schedule.
Simmons believed, however, that there was enough time for his batters to address the problems exposed by the collapse ahead of the first Test beginning August 13.
Taijul did not take part in the rest of the game.
