Zimbabwe are aware of the possible backlash that they can face against a wounded Bangladesh in the second Test and have taken their preparation for it,’ said skipper Brendan Taylor.
The second and final Test of the series begins today at the same ground in Harare, where Zimbabwe humiliated the listless Tigers by 335 runs to go 1-0 up in the series.
‘They have always come back stronger. We never take Bangladesh lightly. We know what quality players they have and they can make it very difficult for you,’ Taylor told reporters in Harare on Wednesday.
‘It’s important that we don’t let them get on top because when they get on top they are very tough to beat. Tomorrow’s a new day for all of us and we are very determined to come out and win this Test match,’ he said.
Taylor was encouraged by the forecast of rain, which can make the seamer-friendly wicket in Harare more dangerous for the batsmen.
Bangladesh struggled to cope with the swing that the wicket offered in the first Test and were bowled out for 134 and 147 runs in two innings in a Test match that they had expected to win.
‘I think the forecast is a bit of rain throughout the week,’ said Taylor, who scored a century in both innings of the first Test. ‘Yes, it is going to be a little challenging for the opening batters, but that’s what Test cricket is all about. If your techniques are good you have got half a chance of having some success.’
‘The rain here normally finishes in March, so very surprising to see this rain, but you can’t control the weather and our preparations are hampered a little bit, but we just need to get our minds switched right,’ he said.
Taylor ruled out any complacency and hoped the huge win in the first Test will help their batsmen gain some confidence and help them win the series.
‘If you win a Test match fairly convincingly you carry some momentum into the second Test match. But there is no complacency,’ he said.
‘They have got bowlers and batters that can knock over any side and score big hundreds against any team, so we are definitely expecting a bigger fight from Bangladesh.’
-With New Age input
