Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach Courtney Walsh has come out in support of under-fire captain Mashrafe Mortaza, saying he is confident that the paceman will come good in the team’s remaining matches in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England.
Mortaza’s struggle with the ball is continuous in the ongoing showpiece event as the fast-bowler managed to pick only one wicket in the six games off his 44 overs, conceding 279 runs at an economy rate of 6.34, but Courtney insisted that he isn’t concerned with his form with the ball.
The Bangladesh skipper came into the World Cup 2019 after having suffered a hamstring injury that he picked during a Tri-nation series in Ireland.
Walsh told reporters, “Wickets are not the key thing and well he has not got enough wickets as we know. He is playing well and bowling good. I am sure the wickets will come. I am not really concerned about having wickets. I am more concerned about keeping them tight and doing my job.”
While Bangladesh’s next match is against India, Walsh is hoping for turn on Birmingham surface, adding: “We are just trying to get everybody ready; saying anybody could bowl with the new ball. We have got three seamers playing now and Rubel [Hossain] played in one of the games before. So, any of those guys could bowl with the new ball because we've trying to get them ready for that.”
The coach continued, “Obviously, if things are swinging and there is bit in the air, (Mohammad) Shaifuddin gets a little bit more swing than probably Fizz [Mustafizur Rahman]. But Fizz still gets a bit of shape so and then, as you know Mashrafee is always swinging it around and so it's a good option to have. We have to assess what's going to happen here in Birmingham.”
Walsh signed off by saying, “If the wicket's going to turn, then it's best for us to have a spinner bowling earlier as well trying to get an early wicket. So, we'll have a look at the game to see what the wicket has been like today [Sunday] in this game. But obviously with the new ball if there is going to be any swing or movement, we would want the seamers to use it as well. So, I think it's on the day what the surface has to hold and how well we react on the day.”
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
