Shanto identifies key to success against Australia

Bangladesh Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto stressed the fact that the visitors are focussing on tackling the bounce against Australia quicks, ahead of the first Test in Darwin.

"We have been preparing on bouncy wickets at home in the last few months. That gives us a little bit more of an idea," Shanto said on the eve of the ICC World Test Championship series against Australia.

"Here there will be bounce, and we are well prepared having arrived 10 or 12 days before the Test.

"It gives us more idea regarding the bounce. They have a world-class bowling attack, but as a team, it is a good opportunity to challenge them."

In the practice match against Cricket Australia XI, Bangladesh folded for 54 in the second innings and suffered an innings defeat. Shanto, however, retained full confidence in the team's batting line-up, drawing belief from Bangladesh's recent Test form.

"We have had (poor outings) in practice matches before. This came in the preparation phase. We can have a bad day, but I think we have prepared ourselves pretty well."

"Obviously, if you look at the last two or three years, we are going well in Test cricket. We have improved as a team. We finished seventh in the last [World Test Championship] cycle, but we are in fourth place [now].

"As a bowling unit, we have been doing a great job. If we just improve our batting a little bit more, it will be a great team going forward."

The left-hander is hopeful of taking the games deep into the final day, while hinting that adjusting to the conditions is important.

"The win against Australia in the ODI series in June gives us a lot of confidence.

"The preparation is there, so I hope we can adjust to these conditions. There's grass on the wicket, but it's a good wicket where both batters and bowlers will find help. Maybe the bowlers will (get us good results).

"We want to play till the fifth day, take it session by session. There will always be discussion about whether we can take it to the fifth day. As players, we want to take it to the fifth day."

While Australia have named their playing XI for the first Test commencing on August 13, Shanto only confirmed the inclusion of Litton Das in the line-up. 

Litton, who is Bangladesh's leading Test run-getter in the last five years, is returning from an injury.

"Litton gives us batting depth," Shanto said. "He is consistent. We are hopeful of our batting unit doing well in the Test match."

Shanto also hinted that Bangladesh could include two spinners despite the conditions. 

"The surface looks good, I think we (might stick with our) normal combination, like two spinners and three seamers.

"But looking at the conditions, tomorrow we'll have a chance to see it again, and then we'll decide tomorrow according to the conditions."

Series schedule:

First Test: August 13-17, Darwin
Second Test: August 22-26, Mackay