Former Australia cricketer Stuart Law on Thursday asked his countrymen to prepare for a ‘real fright’ when they visit Bangladesh for a two-match Test series later this month.
Law, who played a Test and 54 one-day internationals for Australia, coached Bangladesh’s national team in 2012, taking them to the Asia Cup final, before quitting for family reasons.He is currently in Dhaka as the technical advisor of the national Under-19 team ahead of the next year’s U-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.
‘You can’t have a favourite in a two-horse race. If you pick a favourite, you are mad,’ Law said in Dhaka while speaking to reporters.
‘If Bangladesh play anywhere near what they have been in recent times, they will give Australia a real fright,’ he said.
‘People, who are expecting Australia to come here and be the big bully and beat Bangladesh out of the stadium, don’t think that’s the case.
‘Bangladesh will be ready for a fight,’ he added.
Bangladesh, who beat Pakistan, India and South Africa in recent ODI series, will host Australia in the first Test from October 9-13 in Chittagong and for the second from October 17-21 in Dhaka.
Australia are grappling with huge changes after ex-skipper Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Chris Rogers and Shane Watson all retired during the just concluded Ashes series.
The new-look Australian squad arrives in Dhaka on September 28 including two uncapped players in 30-year-old paceman Andrew Fekete and 22-year-old batsman Cameron Bancroft.
‘Australia are going through rebuilding. It is a different look team,’ Law said.
‘The amount of experience that has left the team recently is a huge hole to fill.’
He warned his compatriots about Bangladesh’s hot and humid conditions, saying it will not be easy for them to adapt.
‘I understand it will be hot. The ball will turn and another big stepping stone would be to get used to the lifestyle here,’ he said.
‘They have a lot of hurdles to jump over. Bangladesh has to play good cricket. It will be tight.
Bangladesh have played and lost four Tests against Australia in the past, three of them by an innings margin.
-With New Age input
