Patience paying off as Mehidy changes tactics for Australia
Mehidy Hasan Miraz adjusted quickly to the conditions in Australia and is urging his teammates to follow his lead.
Bangladesh all-rounder Mehidy Hasan Miraz has revealed he is attempting to be more patient at the crease as he gets used to playing in the different conditions he will face during the upcoming Test series in Australia.
The Asian side are currently in Australia preparing for their two-match Test series against the hosts as part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship series and the experienced all-rounder made a strong start as he scored a century in the warm-up fixture against Cricket Australia XI in Darwin ahead of the first Test that commences on August 13.
Mehidy stroked an unbeaten 109 to help Bangladesh recover from an indifferent start to post 263 in the tour match at Marrara Oval and the right-hander suggested a change in his approach allowed him to prosper.
"I tried to build partnerships. Early on, I wasn't looking to score runs. I was trying to figure out how to adapt to the wicket. Later, when I got the opportunity, scoring runs became easier. That was my thought process," Mehidy said.
"Of course, with a Test match coming up, this century will give me confidence. If I can continue with the mindset I had today, it will be good for me. It will also be good for the team."
The upcoming fixtures will be the first time Mehidy has featured in a Test on Australian shores, with Bangladesh having not played a red-ball fixture against the World Test Championship pacesetters away from home since Khaled Mahmud's side toured back in 2003.
Bangladesh currently sit in fourth place in the World Test Championship standings and will be looking for a pair of positive results in Australia if they are to stay in touch with the top teams in the competition.
Just how the side can adjust to the conditions presented in Australia will be pivotal to Bangladesh's hopes and Mehidy is hoping his teammates will be able to follow his lead and make a quick adjustment.
"It was a little difficult for me since this is my first time playing in these conditions. I tried to adjust," he added.
Bangladesh squad for the first Test: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Soumya Sarkar, Shadman Islam, Tanzid Hasan, Mominul Haque Showrab, Mushfiqur Rahim, Amite Hasan, Jaker Ali Anik, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Syed Khaled Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain Chowdhury, Musfik Hasan, Litton Das
Series schedule:
First Test - 13-17 August, Darwin
Second Test - 22-26 August, Mackay