Bangladesh’s fast-bowling coach Ottis Gibson has on Friday (September 4) hinted that the Tiger could play three pacers in the upcoming three-Test series against Sri Lanka.
The Bangladesh cricket team is currently gearing up to return to international cricket after a long gap due to the global Coronavirus pandemic with the next month’s Sri Lanka tour.
While Abu Jayed and Ebadat Hossain remain constant in the pace bowling department of Bangladesh, Al-Amin Hossain and Rubel Hossain are the other two good Test options for the Tigers.
Gibson told Cricbuzz: “If the conditions dictate, or you feel the conditions look like you could play three fast bowlers then so be it. I don't know if we can play three pacers, but I would imagine we can take a lot more than three pacers on tour. But you won't know who you are going to play unless you see the conditions that you have to work with.”
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It is being said that Bangladesh team management is planning to give an opportunity to the uncapped Mohammad Saifuddin or Mustafizur Rahman during the upcoming Sri Lanka tour.
The bowling coach also stressed on picking a bigger squad, consisting of more fast bowlers, keeping in mind the COVID-19 pandemic like West Indies during the recent England tour.
He explained, “I think the way cricket is going with such large groups... like West Indies during the tour of England, I think if we have 20 players to choose from, it gives us more options. I don't think we should pick a 15-man squad, and if the squad is 20 I believe all 20 people should be available for selection, which gives you a wider scope for choosing the final XI.
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We would certainly have a squad of 20, or however many people we take to Sri Lanka, there should be around five pace bowlers in the 20-man squad.”
On the camp and training amid pandemic, the ex-Proteas coach added: “The pace bowlers are asked to bowl for four to five overs with a short run-up, because we are following a gradual return to playing process. There is a thumb rule that they will bowl four days a week, and not more than two days on the trot. It is called 4-2-7 rule and they will follow it.”
Gibson signed off, “In terms of what will be the emphasis during the camp, you know the guys have been working on their fitness during the lockdown period, and I know the guys have been doing a lot of back to bowling stuff to get up to speed. It is about trying to get the guys as match fit as possible before the first Test. I know we have got three practice games scheduled, so it is about making sure that everybody, or the key guys that we think will play in the series, get enough time or enough practice.”
Noteworthy, Bangladesh are expected to travel to Sri Lanka on September 27 with the first Test of the three-match Test series starting on October 24.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
