Simmons Reluctant to Alter Winning XI Despite Shoriful Islam’s Fitness

Bangladesh coach Phil Simmons has said he is not keen on changing a winning team, even with Shoriful Islam fit again for the second Test against Australia.

Bangladesh lead the series 1-0 after a historic nine-wicket win in Darwin. The Mackay Test starts on August 22 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena and will decide whether they can win a Test series in Australia for the first time.

Shoriful available again

The 24-year-old left-arm seamer missed the opener with a hamstring injury picked up on the tour of Zimbabwe. He has now recovered and can be selected, giving Simmons another bowling option. Shoriful has said he is always ready and hopes to play.

Simmons weighs the balance

Simmons accepted that Shoriful offers something different, but said that having just won a Test he rarely likes to change a winning XI. He called a recall a possibility, but said nothing can be decided until the selectors sit down, assess the pitch and consider the balance of the side.

A selection of Shoriful would add a left-arm pace option to exploit the Mackay conditions, but it could break up a bowling combination that worked well in Darwin.

Praise for the bowlers

Simmons said he was impressed with all the bowlers, who each bowled to the plans discussed in Darwin against what he called world-class batters.

With the series in the balance, Bangladesh must choose between continuity and bringing back a key fast bowler.