Bangladesh sweat over Taijul Islam's fitness ahead of Australia Test series

Bangladesh are sweating over their premier spinner Taijul Islam’s fitness ahead of the two-match Test series against Australia. Islam copped a blow on his hand while batting on Day 1 of the three-day warm-up fixture against Cricket Australia XI at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin.

It was later revealed that he suffered a bone contusion to the index finger of his left hand. As a result, he also didn’t come on to bowl during the match. However, Bangladesh physio Bayjedul Islam Khan is hoping for him to recover in time for the first Test.

"The injury is better, both the pain and the swelling have come down. We have four days to go for the first Test, so I am optimistic that Taijul will be totally available for it,” Bayjedul Islam Khan was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons expressed his disappointment following his team’s crushing defeat in the warm-up fixture ahead of the Test series. Bangladesh lost by an innings and 38 runs in the 3-day warm-up game, after getting bundled out for just 54 in the second innings.

Left-arm pacer Campbell Thompson ran through the Bangladesh batting line-up in the second innings, picking up eight wickets as the visitors were skittled in just 22 overs. Commenting on the team’s performance in the warm-up fixture, Simmons admitted that they let themselves down with the bat during the match.

"I think the three days that we have had and working on things, I think they have been very good. 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," Simmons was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

It was a disappointing match, but we move on: Simmons

However, he expressed his faith in the players to put in the hard yards ahead of the first Test and be ready for a historic series.

"But I think that we have three days to work on what we have to do properly in the Test match, and I trust that the guys are going to put in the work over these next three days to get us where we want to be for that Test match. [It was a] disappointing match, but we move on and we look forward to the Test match,” he added.

Bangladesh have three or four more training sessions before the first Test, beginning on August 13 at Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin. It will be just the second Test series for the nation in Australia after their first tour in 2003, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat.