Gareth Batty, the 39-year old England off-spinner is pleased with the security arrangement provided to the visiting side and believes the two-match Test series will be a challenge for them against the Tigers in their home conditions.
“The security arrangement has been fantastic. It’s amazing. It’s kind of regal. We have been very fortunate what Bangladesh have put on for us regarding security,” Batty told the media at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong on Friday.
“Bangladesh are a very good team in their own country. The conditions are quite challenging at times. It’s a great challenge for us. But I believe, considering the skill we have in our squad, we can achieve a favourable result for England,” he added.
England's Jos Buttler plays football during training
DHAKA TRIBUNEBatty has been recalled to the Test team after almost 11 years. The veteran spinner thinks England have improved significantly in the recent past and said he has to work hard to justify his Test recall.
“It’s brilliant for me to become a part of the England team again. It’s a different group of players compared to the last Test I have played for England. Some part of the management has remained same, while some part of it changed. But there are lot of improvements in the squad and our cricket,” said the Surrey cricketer.
“There is a wonderful vibe present in the team at the moment, which is one thing I have noticed first. England players have been magnificent in the last two years. It’s a privilege to become involved with this team. But I have to do a lot of hard work to push myself to be back in the playing 11," he added.
Spin could be crucial in the Bangladeshi conditions and Batty is of the opinion that the upcoming two Test matches will be good opportunity for the English spinners to learn from and handle the challenge positively.
England head coach Trevor Bayliss briefs his charges
DHAKA TRIBUNE“It is positive that spin could play an important part for the team. In England, pacers always get favourable conditions. It is nice to see that spin could be crucial for the team. It’s a real challenge for the spinners to prove that they can win the game for England as well,” he said.
England will face a selection dilemma ahead of their first Test as both Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett are favourites to open the innings alongside skipper Alastair Cook.
But England assistant coach Paul Farbrace hinted that both of them could play in the first Test.
(L-R) England newcomers Haseeb Hameed, Ben Duckett and Zafar Ansari
COURTESY"It's a bit of a shootout but they (Hameed and Duckett) could end up both playing," Farbrace said.
"There's no reason why Duckett couldn't bat in the middle order, there are places going. He has come in, and settled so well - better than any of us could have expected. His calmness around the game has shown he has the temperament. He has shown it straight away,” he added.
The opening day of the first two-day practice match between the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI and the visitors was called off due to wet outfield at MA Aziz Stadium on Friday.
Later, the tourists went to ZACS, the venue for the first Test, in the afternoon for training. The full squad took part in an intense practice session there for a few hours.