AUS vs BAN: Najmul Hossain Shanto underlines biggest challenge for Bangladesh ahead of Test series opener

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has said that tackling the extra bounce in Australian conditions will be the biggest challenge for them. Bangladesh had a horrible warm-up game as they got bundled out for just 54 in the second innings, ripped apart by left-arm seamer Campbell Thompson, losing eventually by an innings and 38 runs.

However, Shanto said they aren't reading too much into that game and have faith in their preparation.

"[Tackling] the bounce is the key but we have been preparing on bouncy wickets at home in the last few months," Shanto said at the pre-match media interaction as reported by Cricinfo. "That gives us a little bit more of an idea. 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. 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.

"We are confident that we will play some good cricket. As a batting unit, there will be a lot of challenges, and we have been trying to do a lot of work. I think the challenge will be greater against the new ball. I think everyone will play their natural game, try to score runs. We are playing against a top bowling attack. It is important how much consistency and focus we can have. We have to try to bat for longer periods."

Having beaten Australia 2-1 in a three-match ODI series at home recently, Shanto is confident heading into the Test series, and they have also received a boost as Litton Das has been declared fit for selection.

"The win against Australia in the ODI series in June gives us a lot of confidence. It was the first time we beat them in a series. We played on good wickets, so that gives us a little bit more confidence," Shanto said. "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 cycle, but we are in fourth place [now]. We still have eight Test matches left in our schedule. I think gradually we have improved our game as a team. 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."

Meanwhile, Australia have announced their playing XI for the first Test, which is slated to get underway on August 13 at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin. They have decided to unleash their big three as Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins return to the red-ball fold to join Mitchell Starc.