Bangladesh expect ‘harder’ Australia challenge in second Test, says coach

Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has warned his players to expect a fierce backlash from Australia in the second Test after his side shocked the cricket world with a nine-wicket victory in the series opener in Darwin.

Australian media dubbed their team’s defeat last weekend as the “Darwin Disaster”, and Simmons said his side could not afford to ⁠be complacent when they face the World Test Championship standings leaders in Mackay, starting Saturday.

“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 Friday.

“We have to either keep that level of performance or get a little bit better. Even if we have to get 1 percent 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.”

The win in Darwin was Bangladesh’s first Test victory on Australian soil and one that Simmons said was among the most satisfying results of his long career coaching red-ball cricket.

The former West Indies all-rounder also hinted he was reluctant to alter a winning combination despite left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam pressing for selection after impressing in training.

Shoriful, who has taken 27 wickets in 13 Tests, missed the first match due to a ⁠hamstring injury.