Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons expects Australia 'to come harder' in 2nd Test

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons expects Australia "to come harder" at them in the second of the ongoing two-match Test series. The tourists are leading the series 1-0 after registering a nine-wicket win at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.

Simmons has cautioned his players to not get carried away by the magnitude of the Darwin win and watch out for a resounding comeback from the hosts.

"The only thing I had to say to them - and I will repeat it anyway - is that Australia is going to come harder," Simmons said on Thursday. "So we have to either keep that level of performance or get a little bit better. Even if we [have to] get 1% better in some areas, then we will have to make sure that that's there. But we know that they are going to change their game. They are going to come harder at us."

Simmons feels the Bangladesh players are desperate to win the Test series as their prep has remained the same throughout the course of the series.

"I've seen the practices, I've seen how we practiced before the three-day game, and I've seen how we practiced the three days before the Test match," he said. "So the work didn't change. Even though we made 54, an off day, the work rate didn't change. So it gives me that sort of confidence that the guys want this, and they want to do well."

Bangladesh will also have Shoriful Islam at their disposal for the series decider. The left-arm seamer has claimed 27 wickets at an average of 36.03 in 13 Tests.

"He offers something different. But again, we just won a Test match," Simmons said. "I'm one... who hardly likes to change winning teams. So it's a possibility, but I can't really say. I'm impressed with all the bowlers because I think everybody bowled to what we spoke about. They're good batsmen [in the Australia side], they're world-class batsmen.

"You try and be consistent in areas that will test them. And it worked this time. Another day, it might not work. But as long as we stick to what we planned and we make sure that they're under pressure all the time, [that] is what we ask for."