Bangladesh will rely on their in-form spinners against the West Indies in their next match at the 2019 World Cup in Taunton Monday.
The Tigers have played quite a few times against the Windies in the last one year, and tasted success in the 50-over format.
Bangladesh won ODI series at both home and away last year, and also defeated the Caribbean side thrice in the recently-concluded tri-nation ODI series.
But the World Cup is a different ball game, the stage is the biggest in terms of competition, and the Windies have a much stronger squad this time.
The next game will be tough for the Tigers, and also, the Windies pacers have hinted of coming back to form with a good display of bowling in the first few matches.
Whilst entering the Bristol county ground, one among the few thoughts that popped up in my mind is that this was the home ground of the great WG Grace.https://t.co/0xw6DJx7dh#CRICKET #WORLDCUP #WORLD #CUP #WORLDCUPCRICKET #CRICKETWORLDCUP #WGGRACE #GRACE #WG #THEDOCTOR #ICC
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It will be an interesting battle as the West Indies will rely on their pace attack and Bangladesh will depend on their spin department in order to nullify the opponent batsmen.
Tigers spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi is confident that their spinners will perform well and maintain their consistency against the Windies in the next game.
“I think it is a challenge for every bowler. Our spinners have done exceptionally well in the challenges and situations that they have faced. We have seen the best example when England were 100 for no loss (against Bangladesh). Mosaddek [Hossain] and [Mehedi Hasan] Miraz came and bowled to the two right-handers (Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow). They are bowling the best to the right-handers as well. Recently Shakib [al Hasan] and Miraz have done well. Mosaddek has also chipped in with great contribution. It is especially important for our bowling unit, because spin is our main weapon. Weather forbid, they will have a role to play,” said Joshi to the media at the team hotel premises Thursday in Taunton.
Bangladesh’s last match against Sri Lanka was washed out in Bristol and weather has become a concern in the World Cup.
The Tigers reached Taunton Wednesday and took complete rest Thursday as there was no scheduled practice session.
@BCBtigers wary of @windiescricket threat in @cricketworldcup https://t.co/midHvlhdaR
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Joshi believes a break will refresh the players ahead of the upcoming round of fixtures.
“As a team, we all want to play. There are fixtures that have been put in this World Cup, so we cannot fight against it. We need to take whatever is there, and look forward to win games.
Our team are in good spirits. We have a high energy team with us. We have played back-to-back games so we will be energized after the two-day break,” Joshi concluded.
The Tigers will take part in a full practice session Friday at Community Coaching Clinic at Somerset County Cricket Ground, starting 1:00pm, local time.
